Children’s Hospice South West is looking for 100 runners to pledge their support and run the 2019 Bath Half on its behalf to help raise vital funds to care for children diagnosed with life-threatening conditions. CHSW, which has been in operation in the South West for 25 years, has been named the 2019 Bath Half Local Charity of the Year and it is aiming to raise £60,000 from the event.
“We have been involved with the Bath Half Marathon since 2009 and each year we have seen the number of our charity place runners grow,” said Emily Mitchard, Community Fundraiser at CHSW. “We are very excited to be chosen as the Local Charity of the Year and hope that 2019 will be the best event yet!
“Just to put our target in context, £50,000 could pay for heat, light and power for all three of our hospices for one year, but if we raise £75,000 that could pay for 24 hour Doctor care in one of our three hospices.”
Now in its 37th year, the Bath Half Marathon attracts 16,500 runners and 30,000 spectators, and is the largest charity fundraising event in the South West and one of the largest single day fundraising running events in the UK, with 130 official charity partners plus a further 380 other charities anticipated to be represented at the 2019 event. Since 2000, the race has raised over £22 million for charity from runners fundraising efforts.
Kayley Waller, Charity Director at Bath Half, explained, “CHSW is a wonderful cause that has a strong history with the race. Each year we choose a local charity to help support their fundraising and drive additional awareness for them. With so many families in the region cared for by CHSW we felt it was a perfect fit for our runners and race this year. We are looking forward to working with the team and help them achieve their fundraising target.”
Emily continued, “We are dedicated to making the most of short and precious lives through the provision of the best possible hospice care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. The care offered at each of our three hospices is not just about medical and nursing support for sick children, but enriching the lives of the children and their whole family. Our services are free to families who need us, because we believe that nothing should get in the way of very sick children receiving the very best care.”
The Bath Half Marathon 2019 takes place on Sunday 17 March. If you would like to run in support of Children’s Hospice South West, please visit www.chsw.org.uk/bathhalf.