Get your running shoes on for Sport Relief mile
Sport Relief 2010 in Northampton
LOG on to the national Sport Relief website and one can see famous faces such as comedy actress Miranda Hart and singer Olly Muirs joining the battle to persuade runners across the country to raise money for worthy causes.
The Sport Relief Mile event is held across the country once every two years and has its fair share of supporters here in Northamptonshire.
The last Northampton Mile run, held in 2010, saw hundreds of runners turn out in the town centre streets to raise almost £20,000 for the Sport Relief campaign.
This year’s event will be held on March 25 at the new location of Becket’s Park and organisers are keen to attract local participation once again.
Chris Rockall is sport development officer at the Northampton Leisure Trust which, together with Northampton Borough Council, is organising the 2012 run.
He said: “In Northampton we have done this since 2008 and it has always been in the town centre but this year we hope to have it in Becket’s Park. It has gone from 600 people taking part in 2008 to 900 last year and the target of 1,500 has been set for this year.”
Local celebrities supporting this year’s run include Page 3 model Katie Green and members of the Saints rugby team.
The causes supported by Sport Relief range from helping the poorest people in developing countries, to more home-grown projects in the UK, relating to everything from domestic abuse to mental health issues.
In Northamptonshire there are many schemes which benefit from Sport Relief funding, including the Extra Time Project at Northampton Town Football Club. This scheme is aimed at encouraging those aged 50 and over to take part in activities such as yoga and computer lessons.
Chris said: “This is a project that gets part-funded and works with a 50 plus group at Sixfields. It is a 12-week project aimed at the 50 plus, which includes physical activity and education. They have worked on Facebook and Twitter; there was one lady who spoke to grandchildren abroad for the first time on Skype.
“Sport Relief is really important. All the money raised does go to good causes. People can get hung up on the fact that the funds go abroad but some is spent here too.”
Other local beneficiaries have included the Union of Somali Women and the Northampton Swimming Club, who have put the funds towards different projects.
Taking part in the run does not mean participants need the excellence levels of marathon runners.
Chris explained: “People can choose whether they do one mile, three miles or six miles. They can get sponsored to do it and they can walk it if they want. We had one little boy last time who had only just started walking the week before and he did it with his mum and dad holding his hand. We have even had people doing it three-legged before.”
So far more than 200 Northamptonshire people have signed up for the event, but it is hoped that many more will follow their example.
All those taking part in Sport Relief pay a fee of £6 for adults, £3 for children or £15 for families, but it is hoped that many will also choose to raise sponsorship through the event. For more information on signing up for the run, log onto www.sportrelief.com
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