ORGANISERS of the Worcester City Run have confirmed this year’s charity partner will be Worcester Samaritans for the second year in a row.
In 2017, 53 runners tackled the Worcester City Half Marathon or 10K to support the charity and their fund-raising, plus money raised through an optional donation button on the run website, came to more than £20,000.
Now, the Worcester Samaritans team is on the hunt for people to take part this year, when the races return to the city on Sunday, September 16.
Samaritans branches are totally self-funded, and all trained Samaritans are volunteers, offering round the clock emotional support to people in distress, by telephone, e-mail, SMS text and face-to-face visits.
Money raised at the 2017 Worcester City Run is being invested directly into the Worcester branch, helping the organisation to assist residents throughout Worcestershire.
Meg Richards, director of the Worcester Samaritans, said: “We were hugely grateful to everyone who made it possible to raise so much money last year – the runners, their families, their very generous sponsors, and the Samaritans team behind the scenes, who worked so hard both before the event and on the day.
“Because it was such a brilliant day, we’re confident that plenty of runners will return and we’d love to welcome even more to the Worcester Samaritans team. They can get involved knowing that all of the money raised will be used to deliver vital services here in Worcester and the surrounding area.”
Maggie Stephens ran for Worcester Samaritans in 2017 and said.: “You didn’t have to be a honed athlete to take part, you just needed to have the motivation to participate, and the thousands of spectators along the route cheering us all on helped make it a truly memorable event. It was just great – so much so that I’m doing it again this year!”
Founder and race director Steve Cram adds: “It’s important to us the Worcester City Run supports a local good cause like this, in a city that has embraced our event so warmly.
“ Our team is looking forward to working with the Samaritans again as we build up to September 16 and we hope that they raise even more money in 2018.”
Entries for this year’s events are now open. Visit www.worcestercityrun.com for entry fees and more information.
