AROUND 5000 people took part in the Run Bournemouth event weekend raising an enormous £160,000 for MacMillan Cancer Support plus various other charities.
Cllr George Farquhar, the deputy mayor of Bournemouth, ran the half marathon in 2:30:29 and raised £540 for The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation.
Donning the mayoralty badge around his neck, Cllr Farquhar gleefully explained:
“[The event] is hugely, hugely important. For instance, last year I ran the half marathon and it was 4000, this year it’s 5000 that actually entered.”
“It gives me such pride as the deputy mayor this year to run in Bournemouth’s own half marathon.”
Paul Logue, another entrant, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago and fundraised for Parkinson’s UK.
He shared how running in charity events has impacted his life:
“This probably means the most to me emotionally and psychologically because it’s good for my mental wellbeing and I feel a part of something where I’m not just brushed aside and put in a box.”
“There’s so much negative news, there’s so much anger in the world. If you want to restore your faith in humanity, either take part in a small run or take part in one of these and just listen to people wish you well; every nod, every clap, everything just pushes you along. You’ll get the best of humanity there.”
You can listen to more heartwarming charity stories and feel the atmosphere of the event below.
