Family Fund selected by Jane Tomlinson Appeal as charity partner for Arena Group York Junior and Mini Fun Runs
Family Fund brought some of the parents they’ve helped over the last year to York Minster today to help launch the Arena Group York Junior and Mini Fun Runs, which this year features the Fund as its official charity partner.
The York-based charity is the UK’s largest provider of grants to low-income families raising disabled and seriously ill children and young people, and has been selected by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All as partner for the races taking place on Sunday 2ndAugust 2015.
The races take place across the Knavesmire and York racecourse. The Mini Run (1.5 kilometres) is open to 3-8 year olds accompanied by an adult and the Junior Run (2.5 kilometres) is open to 9-14 year olds. Using the same start and finish line as the York 10K race, also hosted by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, the young runners will be cheered on by the huge crowds that line the Knavesmire Road, before taking a well-earned rest in the Events Village.
Both events are free to enter and children and adults will be offered the opportunity to agree to raise money for the Family Fund when they register.
Last year, Family Fund supported 5,272 families in Yorkshire and 68,551 families across the UK with grants for items such as clothing, bedding, hospital visiting costs and white goods to help families.
Karen’s son Fred, who has an eye disorder affecting the growth and development of blood vessels in the retina of the eye, has received grants for items including a bed and a sensory den to play in. Karen said “The Family Fund have helped us in so many different ways over the last few years and really made a difference to not only Fred’s life but all of us as a family. Without them we would probably have got into more debt to give Fred the things he needs to help him develop and thrive.”
Cheryl Ward, Chief Executive of the Family Fund, said “We are delighted to have been selected as Jane Tomlinson’s charity partner for these runs. What makes them particularly special is that it gives children the opportunity to get involved and support other children, which is pretty incredible. We’re really looking forward to it.”
For the first time this year, Family Fund have also confirmed places on the York 10K, so the whole family can get involved in the day with the ‘Family Team Offer’. The package allows up to 2 adults and 2 or more children to take part in their designated runs without any entry fees, with the adults running the York 10K and the children taking part in the Junior and Mini Runs. Each family team will be asked to collectively raise a minimum of £300 for the Family Fund.
For more information and to register, visit: http://www.fundraising.familyfund.org.uk/york-junior-and-mini-runs/
Jim Paterson, Communications Manager
Family Fund, 4 Alpha Court, Monks Cross Drive, Huntington, York, YO32 9WN
Tel: 01904 571094 email: comms@familyfund.org.uk
The Family Fund is the country’s largest grant-giving charity and has over forty years of helping families with disabled children. It helps ease the additional pressures faced by low-income families raising a disabled child by giving them grants for a wide range of goods and services, including washing machines, dryers, fridges, clothing, bedding, sensory toys, computers, much- needed family breaks and more. Across the UK last year, the Fund supported 66,937 families with £33 million in grants.
