Oxford residents are being encouraged to help raise money for people living in the world’s poorest countries by taking part in a run for Sports Relief.
As part of a national fundraising effort, two Sainsbury’s Sports Relief Miles will be held in Oxford on March 25, encouraging people to dust off their running shoes and raise money in sponsorship. Oxford City Council is also organizing a Sports Relief Mile at Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park, which starts at 11am.
Councillor Mark Lygo, council board member for parks and sports, said: “Sports and physical activity has gone up in Oxford. We are trying to push to get people involved especially as the Olympics is on this year.
“The best thing about the event is that you don’t have to be an adult. Families can get involved, young kids can get involved. You can run one mile, three miles or six miles. It’s fun, it’s not too time- consuming, it’s for all the family to enjoy and you are raising money for a good cause.”
Oxford Brookes University is holding a similar event, with runners setting out from their Harcourt Hill Campus from 10.30am. Both events costs an adult £6 to enter, £3 for a child and £15 for a family. Entrants can raise sponsorship through Sports Relief Giving pages.
Stuart McCarroll, sports manager for Oxford Brookes University, said: “We are inviting everyone to put on their running shoes and join us for the Sport Relief Mile 2012 at our Harcourt Hill campus on Sunday, March 25. It promises to be a great day in which you can run through beautiful woodlands with fantastic views over the Oxfordshire countryside, whilst helping to change lives.”
Sports Relief cash goes towards initiatives both at home and abroad. Money raised supports charities such as Teen Safe House, a charity that helps build the confidence of teenagers who have been bullied, Combat Stress, an organisation that helps war veterans deal with mental health problems, and the Alzheimers Society.
Overseas, cash is used for initiatives such as building wells in communities in Sierra Leone where diarrhoea, cholera and dystentry are rife and providing social workers for children working as servants in Nepal. Jess Kirke, Sports Relief event manager, said: "Make your city proud and join thousands of people across the UK by taking part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday, March 25. The atmosphere will be electric and we promise lots of fun and entertainment along the way.”
For more information, visit www.sportrelief.com
