Press Release
On their marks, get set… United Response runners in final training for marathon
Twenty eight courageous United Response supporters across the UK are currently going through the anxious final stages of preparation before the Flora London Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 22nd April.
The runners have chosen to pledge their sponsorship to United Response to help it in its work creating opportunities with people with learning disabilities or mental health needs.
Founded in 1981, the London marathon has become one of the most famous fundraising events in the world. One of the dominant images of the race is that of thousands clad in fancy dress, tramping the cobbles in support of charitable causes dressed as rhinos, football team mascots, giant trees and the like. And it’s no Sunday jog in the park, spanning 26.2 punishing miles or 42 kilometres. 32,000 people will run the gauntlet this year, with more than 80,000 applying for the chance.
The United Response runners come from across the country, with many different reasons for participating. They range from people who work for United Response and know the positive impact the funds can have on peoples’ lives, to people who are touched by the issues through friends who have learning disabilities or mental health needs.
The marathon is United Response’s single biggest fundraising event and last year it raised a whopping £42,000. If you’d like to help us beat that target you can read about the individual runners at http://www.justgiving.com/unitedresponse/raisemoney and donate there. Or pop along to Duke’s Hotel from 1pm onwards to grab a sandwich and a chat with United Response representatives.
Kate Knight, a fourth time runner, has already raised £5,000 for United Response and hopes to raise another £1,250 this year. "I guess that you could say that I'm addicted to running. Each time I cross that finishing line and hear the crowds cheering me on, it reminds me just how much I've achieved. And I have met so many new people through my fundraising and each year I'm amazed just how generous people will be when they know that you are running for a good cause. Two of my family members have a learning disability and so I know just how important United Response's work is and this really spurs me on each year. "
“This is a massive event for us,” said Diane Lightfoot, director of fundraising at United Response, “not just because it raises much needed funds, but because it reminds us of how many people support what we do and want to help. We are very grateful to all the many people who work so hard to raise funds on our behalf, and we’ll be cheering them on the loudest on the day.
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