Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Big Build Appeal is racing along to its fund-raising target after being boosted by the Blythe Valley Park Charity Fun Run.
Half of the proceeds raised from the eighth annual event have been donated to Marie Curie’s appeal to raise £7 million for a new hospice for the West Midlands in Solihull.
The run is organised by Shirley Lions Club and Liberty Property Trust UK, which develops and manages the business park in partnership with Doughty Hanson & Co Real Estate, raised £3,656 in total.
Fifty per cent of the proceeds, £1,828, have also been donated to Solihull Leisure Opportunities (SoLO) which provide support to people with learning disabilities to improve their quality of life.
More than 300 people took part in the event, which included a 500m fun run and 5km and 10km races around the countryside and pathways of the business and country park off junction 4 of the M42.
Kate Smith, of Liberty Property Trust UK, said the organising team were delighted to support two great causes and said preparations are already well underway ahead of this year’s event on Sunday, September 16.
“SoLO is a really special local charity which does a great job in the community, as does Marie Curie and their new hospice will be a tremendous facility providing expert care and a better quality of life to patients and their families,” she said.
“All the proceeds raised from the 2012 Blythe Valley Park Charity Fun Run will be going towards the Big Build Appeal and along with Shirley Lions Club we’ll be doing all we can to help them reach their target.”
Sarah Wakeman from Marie Curie Cancer Care, added: “We’re really grateful to Shirley Lions and Liberty Property Trust for this tremendous donation.
“They put on a brilliant event at the park in September and there was a real community spirit on the day.
“We were delighted some of our supporters could take part, including Nikki Barter who at 87 was the oldest competitor on the course, she breezed round and looked like she could do it again!
“We are on target to reach the £7 million total ahead of the big opening in spring 2013 and really appreciate all of the support we’ve had from the community as without this backing this project wouldn’t be possible.”