Sport Relief is back, and as one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, it brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. The Sport Relief Weekend takes place from Friday 19th March to Sunday 21st March 2010.
Since its launch in 2002, millions of people have taken part, helping to raise over £80 million. Sport Relief has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to rise to the challenge, from David Walliams' astonishing swim across the English Channel, to Eddie Izzard's truly amazing marathon a day around the UK to Helen Skelton's six week paddle down the the River Amazon this year - breaking two world records on the way.
And that’s not to mention the thousands of people who rise to the challenge by doing the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile to raise cash and help make the world of difference. All the money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people, both at home and across the world’s poorest countries.
Sport Relief 2010 are highlighting the following three issues, which money raised will help to tackle - children who live on the streets or work in dangerous conditions, people affected by malaria and local UK projects.
The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile 2010 is a national event that will take place on Sunday, March 21, with our local sponsored run being held at Macclesfield Leisure Centre.
Individuals, friends, families and companies are being urged to sign up and start training now for the big day. Those taking part can choose from a one, three or six-mile sponsored run. That means, there’s something for everyone on the big day from teeny-tots with their mums and dads, to super sprinters up against the clock. There will also be family activities for spectators to enjoy.
Cheshire East Council is calling on people of all ages to get in shape for the annual charity run which will see a Cheshire East councillor donning his tracksuit and running shoes to help get the keep fit message across and of course raise money for a good cause.
Councillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, who is getting in training to take part in the Sport Relief run in Macclesfield, said: "It’s all about getting more people to take regular exercise and having fun for a really worthwhile cause.
"It’s for everyone. You don’t have to join an expensive gym, you don’t have to swim 30 miles – as long as you do a little bit, it’s possible to do this Sport Relief run and help change lives, including your own. Just walking more is fantastic for health."
To sign up for the event log on to Sport Relief website, or, if you would like to get involved and help out, call Keith Rogers on 01625 504512.
Steve Morris, store manager at Sainsbury’s on Alderley Road told me they have a number of events planned in Wilmslow for Sport Relief so we will be bringing you further details shortly.
In the meantime Sainsbury's have helped to develop a range of must-have items for Sport Relief 2010 - including socks, wristband, waterbottle, bouncy ball and phone sock, which are now available in store.
Photograph: Cheshire East Council sports development officer Andy Molyneux, Councillor Andrew Knowles, Macclesfield Leisure Centre manager Paul Carrington, Sainsbury’s Representative Sarah Holt and Cheshire East Council sports development officer Keith Rogers.
