900 kids take part in community hospice’s 10th annual fun run
About 900 children took part in a community hospice’s 10th annual mini marathon last month.
Greenwich and Bexley’s Community Hospice in Bostall Hill, Abbey Wood, was supported by 934 children who signed up for the run in Royal Greenwich Park, Blackheath, on May 14.
Families enjoyed free face painting, sports and games courtesy of the fitness charity, Better GLL. The children also enjoyed performances by the community choir, Rock Choir, and a warm-up by running group, Greenwich Runners, before the kids set off on the 2.62-mile route.
Around the park, there was plenty of cheering from the Lewisham and Greenwich Police Cadets, who were the event’s marshals. And, to spur runners up the Avenue Hill in the park, Tony from Play it on Pans geed-up runners on with his uplifting steel pan sound.
Since the hospice’s first Mini Marathon in 2013, this 2.62-mile fun run has become a firm fixture in their event calendar and a popular running event for local children between 5 and 16 years old.
Over the past ten years more than £500,000 has been raised by the children and their families, allowing the hospice to continue providing vital care to those who need it.
Ten years ago, the hospice had 300 children signed up, and this number steadily increased until it reached 1,800 children in 2019.
Even during the pandemic year, 316 children took part in their own virtual mini marathon. Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice was inspired by the kids who ran around their balconies, gardens and local parks to complete their challenge.
Augusta Adu, Events Manager at the hospice, said: “The Hospice Mini Marathon took inspiration from the 2012 London Olympics, and ten years later, it is humbling to see hundreds of children lace up their trainers, put on their favourite fancy-dress costumes and pound the paths around Royal Greenwich Park to raise money for their local hospice.
“We would like to thank every child who participated in the Mini Marathon.
“The reason we hold this wonderful community event is to raise money so that our hospice team can support families so that they are not alone when a loved one may need our services or be nearing end-of-life.”
Pictured top: Two runners in fancy dress (Picture: Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice)
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