Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand will be the guest of honour at Why Not Run as the people of Kent will run to raise funds for charity.
The team behind one of Chislehurst’s best known annual fundraisers, Why Not Run, have announced that places for this year’s event are now available – with the 2015 benefactors revealed for the second year running, as national charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and Bromley Y.
And, as part of the “line up” for next month’s fun-run , former international and QPR football star, Rio Ferdinand, will be coming along to show his support by presenting the trophies at the end of what promises to be a fantastic day of fun and fundraising!
The multi-terrain cross-country event (which this year will take place on Sunday 17 May in the grounds of Farringtons School, which has generously supported this event since it began four years ago) will be raising funds for CRY via the locally based and well-known Ben Daniels Memorial Fund (BDMF).
Ben tragically died in March 2011 from an undiagnosed heart condition whilst playing football, aged just 15. Since Ben’s sudden death, supporters of his memorial fund (which was established by his parents Paul and Helena, from Bickley) have continued to work tirelelessly, raising money to host specialist screening sessions in the local area to test as many children and young people as possible.
Every week, 12 young (aged 35 and under) people lose their lives to sudden cardiac death in the UK – a statistic that is believed to be a conservative estimate.
Now in its 4th year, Why Not Run is a charity fun run for all the family, which raises money for local children’s and young people’s charities.
Set up by the Head of Junior PE at Farringtons School, Lavinia Long, the day offers a range of running events and distances for all ages and abilities – and in the past, has rasied up to £8,000 for its nominated charities.
Organiser, Jackie Baker, says; “We are delighted to be working alongside Paul once again and helping to raise awareness of the importance of cardiac screening in young people – as well as raising vital funds for the BDMF.”
“Why Not Run presents an ideal opportunity to communicate directly with so many young people and their parents – CRY’s target audience! ”
“Just like Ben Daniels, in 80% of cases of young sudden cardiac death, there will have been no previous signs or symptoms of a heart defect until it is too late. This is why CRY is so committed to the benefits of proactive screening.”
Why Not Run 2015 is also raising money for Bromley Y (www.bromley-y-org.uk) which provides counselling for young people in the area. Interestingly (and very sadly) Bromley Y have recently been offering counselling to the friends of local young people who have lost their lives through sudden cardiac death syndrome.
Paul Daniels says: “As the profile of Ben’s memorial fund continues to grow, it’s fantastic for us to be able to join forces with events such as Why Not Run.”
“It’s only by working together with other youth-focused groups in our area that we can really spread the word about CRY and its ongoing mission to prevent these tragic – and often preventable – deaths in young people.”
“The support we have from local businesses, schools, organisations and individuals is phenomenal and helps us to create a very special tribute to Ben. I know he would be proud of everything we are achieving.”
The Ben Daniels Memorial Fund has now raised over £100,000 to support CRY’s pioneering screening programme (which now tests around 17,000 young people every year).
As a result of Paul’s efforts, around 1,000 local, young people have been screened over the past 4 years, in memory of Ben – a figure that is set to double this year, due to the volume of screenings due to be funded by the BDMF and collaborations with a range of sports clubs across Kent and the South East.
Chief Executive and Founder of CRY, Alison Cox MBE, says; “Paul’s fundraising support and ongoing awareness work for CRY has been absolutely tremendous and his efforts have helped to fund the screening of hundreds of local people through Ben’s Fund.”
“This year is CRY’s 20th anniversary yet the support, dedication and commitment of our families –all of whom have experienced the most devastating type of grief – never fails to astound me.”
“Once more, it is wonderful to see Paul working closely with other local fundraisers who have got ‘right behind’ our cause. On behalf of CRY, I would like to thank everyone who is taking part and we really hope everyone has a great day!”
The event will also be match-funded to the value of £5,000 by “Basepoint” (wholly owned by a charity called The ACT Foundation). CRY is the chosen charity of the year for the Dartford branch and it is planned that a further £5,000 will be matched over the coming year as well as local fundraising.
To find out more about signing up for Why Not Run 2015, please visit: www.whynotrun.co.uk or email: [email protected]. Free race tops will also be offered to the first 300 applicants!
Entry Fees: Pre-registration: £5 for the 2km races and £10 for the 5km races
On the Day Entry: £10 for the 2km races and £15 for the 5km races
About: ‘Why Not Run 2015’
Venue: Farringtons School, Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent. BR7 6LR
09:30 Grounds open
10:00 2km race for children aged 6 to 8 years
10:30 2km race for children aged 9 to 11 years
11:00 2km race for children aged 12 to 14 years
11:30 Presentation of prizes for the 2km races
12:00 5km race for adults (18+)
5km race for senior school children (12 to 18 years)
(Younger children may enter this race, but under 12s must be accompanied by a competing adult)
13:00 Presentation of prizes for the 5km races
All competitors will receive a medal and a goody bag.
Trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd male and female finishers in each age category.
Fancy Dress is very welcome!
Refreshments and food will be available to purchase throughout the event and there will be stalls to browse, as well as entertainment for the children.