Epilepsy Action, the UK's largest member-led epilepsy organisation, is urging the people of the Calder Valley to lace up their running shoes and take part in Alice's Run. The run is a 10k multi-terrain race through the Calder Valley on Sunday 4 September. It will raise vital funds to support the 456,000 people living with epilepsy in the UK.
Now in its sixth year, the race was set up to celebrate the life of Blackshaw Head girl, Alice Redmond. Alice died following a tragic accident in August 2005. She worked at Epilepsy Action during her student placement year from Leeds Metropolitan University, helping to organise fundraising events and raise awareness of epilepsy.
The race, which is organised by Epilepsy Action, will start at 10.30am at Brearley Field in Mytholmroyd and will finish at Calder High School. Set in beautiful countryside, runners will follow a circular route around Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. Excellent race facilities are provided and the event is suitable for serious runners and first-timers alike. There will be T-shirts and refreshments for all the finishers, and prizes for first, second and third (male and female), as well as veterans.
Alice’s Run offers a great day out for the whole family and a chance for everyone to get involved. There will also be a kilometre children’s fun run with all finishers receiving a medal. This additional race will be held at 10.45am, at Calder High School field.
Philippa Cartwright, events manager at Epilepsy Action, said: "Last year's run attracted over 300 runners and raised an impressive £4,500. Since Alice’s Run was established back in 2006 over £40,000 has been raised. The event is a fitting tribute to a much loved and respected member of the Epilepsy Action team. We still have places left for this fantastic
//More…
- 2 -
and unique event. Please sign up and help raise vital funds to help support people affected by epilepsy."
Liv and Steve Redmond, Alice's parents, said: “We are really pleased that Alice’s Run continues to be so successful. It provides the perfect opportunity for the family and friends of Alice to come together, but it also has become an enjoyable and challenging running event in its own right. As well as being a race for serious runners, it is now appreciated as a lovely day out for walkers, who are able to savour the beautiful countryside we are lucky to enjoy in our own locality. The money raised over the five years since the first Alice’s Run has made a valuable contribution to the work of Epilepsy Action and we feel that it has been a fitting tribute to Alice’s memory.”
To find out more or to register for Alice's Run, call Philippa Cartwright on 0113 210 8800 or visit www.epilepsy.org.uk/involved/alicesrun Postal entries close Monday 29 August but people can also sign up on the day.
Epilepsy affects one in every 131 people in the UK alone and 75 people are diagnosed with the condition every day. Last year Epilepsy Action directly helped over 845,000 people through a range of services, including its Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050, branch network, specialist nurse scheme and award-winning website, www.epilepsy.org.uk