People across West Yorkshire are being urged to lace up their running shoes and take part in Alice's Run for charity. The run is a 10k multi-terrain race through the Calder Valley on Sunday 2 September. It will raise vital funds for Leeds-based national charity Epilepsy Action, to support the 600,000 people living with epilepsy in the UK.
Now in its seventh year, the race was set up to celebrate the life of Leeds Metropolitan University student, Alice Redmond. Alice, from Hebden Bridge, died following a tragic accident in August 2005. She worked at Epilepsy Action during her student placement year, 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 Fields in Mytholmroyd and will finish at Calder High School. Set in beautiful countryside, runners and walkers will follow a circular route around Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. Excellent race facilities are provided and the event is suitable for serious runners and those looking for a countryside walk. 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.
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.
Liv and Steve Redmond, Alice’s parents, said: "We are really pleased that so many people continue to support the run as a tribute to Alice and to raise funds for a charity which was so special in her life. We hope that this year's event will, once again, be really successful and provide a splendid day out for everybody - runners, walkers and children - together with friends and family meeting up to remember Alice. "
Philippa Cartwright, fundraising events manager at Epilepsy Action, said: "Since Alice’s Run was established back in 2006 nearly £50,000 has been raised to support our work in memory of Alice. 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 and unique event. Please sign up and help raise vital funds to help support people affected by epilepsy."
Alice’s Run costs £12, or £10 for runners who are part of a UK Athletics affiliated running club. Participants can run or walk the course. To find out more or to register for Alice's Run, call Philippa Cartwright on 0113 210 8800 or visit www.epilepsy.org.uk/alicesrun Postal and online entries close on Monday 27 August but people can also sign up on the day.
The money raised from the event will help to support the Epilepsy Action’s work all over the UK. The charity campaigns to improve epilepsy services and raise awareness of epilepsy. It also provides a national network of support groups, funds a specialist nurse scheme, holds regular regional conferences and has a freephone and email helpline.
Epilepsy affects around one in every 100 people in the UK alone and 87 people are diagnosed with the condition every day.
For more information visit www.epilepsy.org.uk