This year the Bracknell, Wokingham, Ascot and District SAMARITANS Run was held on Saturday 1st July returning for the first time in over 31 years to Easthampstead Park Community School.
The School’s generous support of the event was boosted by a special team of teachers and pupils who entered to demonstrate their support of the charity which offers listening services to those in despair, distress and having suicidal feelings.
In total, nearly 500 individual runners from the local community and those representing running clubs, entered the 5 or 10K event raising just over £7,500 which will go a long way to help with the £23,000 annual cost to run the local Branch, which is based in Mount Pleasant, Bracknell.
Race Director, Jackie Holland, explains, “This year we were lucky enough to receive financial support from local corporate sponsors as well as over 60 volunteers who helped to make the day such an enjoyable event, acting as marshals on the course, cooking BBQ food, serving teas, coffees and cakes. Next year we are exploring ideas of how to make the event even more successful. This will include encouraging runners to persuade friends and family to sponsor their efforts so we can raise even more funds. This year just 8 people did this and alone they raised an additional £1200.”
The weather for the day was ideal for running, and many residents in the local area came out of their homes to cheer on weary runners with shouts of encouragement and applause along the way.
Each runner, who successfully completed the course, was awarded a Samaritans Run 2017 medal, in recognition of their efforts, acting as a lovely memento of how their contribution to Samaritans has helped.
Jackie Holland concludes, “We have had some great feedback about the event including one runner who has commented ‘Thanks to everyone who made this such a well-organised and enjoyable run. All the marshals along the route were very supportive and encouraging……..The medals were also of a unique design and I will treasure mine. Thank you and I will be back next year!’ This sums up the spirit of the event and I thank all of those who contributed to making this year’s event so memorable”
For those who are reading this and would like to learn more about the run or register interest to enter next year’s Samaritans Run then please send an email to samrunbrack@hotmail.co.uk , and your details will be logged and information regarding the 2018 run will be emailed to you when available.
Samaritans offers a totally confidential and 24-hour service of emotional listening support to anyone going through a difficult time. The service is offered by telephone (Freecall 116123), email (jo@samaritans.org), face to face and text. The local branch is run entirely by volunteers and the branch depends solely on donations and fundraising efforts to maintain its service.