THE iconic Sheffield Half Marathon and 10K events may be postponed this year, but the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity are appealing for keen runners to continue fundraising virtually.
Fundraisers with a flair for tackling South Yorkshire’s infamous hills were due to participate jointly in the Run for All events in September to raise funds for local and national charities. Sadly, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Half Marathon has been postponed until 28 March 2021 and the 10K until 26 September 2021.
Whether you had an official place in the popular Steel City events or not, the charity hopes runners of all abilities will don their running shoes and shorts to fundraise virtually on or around Sunday 27 September 2020, when the events were officially due to take place.
Martin Havenhand, Chairman of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We know the Run for All events are incredibly popular and for a small NHS charity like us, it’s always exciting and humbling to see runners participating to raise funds and awareness about what we do.
“To keep everyone safe from COVID-19 the races have been rightly postponed until next year but we wouldn’t want fundraisers who have been training hard to lose their chance of crossing the finish line and feeling that sense of achievement.
“We’d love to see fundraisers pounding the treadmill at home or the gym or running around their local park or greenspace. The virtual challenge could be completed alone, with family or those from your social bubble to ensure it is safe.”
Run for All recently said in a letter to participants of the Sheffield Half Marathon and 10K that they hoped to see them on the start line in 2021.
A spokesman said:
“Whilst we appreciate this news won’t come as a complete surprise, like you, we are disappointed that our return to Sheffield will have to wait another year, but the safety of you the entrants has to come first.
“All entries will be transferred to the new date in 2021 so please mark Sunday 28 March and 26 September in your diary accordingly. Over the years these events have raised in excess of a million pounds for charity and due to the postponements of these events, we know many charities will be struggling to continue to deliver vital services due to lack of funds. Your support of them now can really make a difference.”
The charity raises funds to provide the added extras which the NHS cannot afford and which really make a difference to patients cared for in the community and at Rotherham Hospital, plus their families and carers.
The generous donations received have enabled the charity to improve patient care, facilities and to provide state-of-the-art equipment.
The charity has three appeals – the Purple Butterfly Appeal, which supports end of life care, the Dr Ted children’s appeal and the new Rotherham NHS Superheroes campaign, which was launched in April 2020 to support our hard-working colleagues as they care for others during COVID-19.
For more information about taking part in a virtual Half Marathon or 10K, or to register your interest in raising money for the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity in other ways, please contact Suzanne Rutter via trft.charity@nhs.net or call 01709 426821.
