RUNNERS and walkers are invited to sign-up for this year’s Southampton ABP Marathon, half marathon or 10k to raise funds for a charity enhancing the lives of lonely city residents (January 2025).
Communicare hopes people who made New Year’s resolutions to become more active or get fitter this year will participate in the event on April 6 to assist with its 2025 fundraising efforts.
Communicare Manager, Annie Clewlow explains: “If your New Year’s Resolution is to get more active and you’d also like to give back to your community, please consider participating and fundraising to support our work with isolated and lonely people of all ages living in Southampton. The current economic climate means we need support from fundraising like this more than ever before. Every penny we receive goes towards making someone’s life better.
“We’re here to help people live their best lives, rather than to just exist. Fundraising efforts like this help support our multi-generational initiatives befriending people in communities city-wide, through our Good Neighbours Network. Our mission is to eradicate loneliness and isolation for people of all ages, which potentially represents a significant health risk to them.
“There has been lots of scientific research explaining how loneliness impacts on both physical and mental well-being and it has been dubbed a ‘silent killer.’ Anyone taking part in this year’s 10th anniversary Southampton ABP Marathon for us will be helping support our vital, often lifesaving, work.
“The event encompasses a 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon and we’d like as many runners or walkers as possible to join our team! Please call 023 8250 0050 or email events@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk to find out more and to apply.
“If you’re already signed up to run independently with ABP but would like to nominate us as your chosen charity, please get in touch. We’ll send you sponsorship forms and also give you a Communicare running T-shirt to wear.
“If you’re entering the 5K, it is more cost-effective to do this as an individual runner rather than use one of our places. We’ll still give you a T-shirt to wear and count you as a member of our team.
“If you feel daunted by these distances or are more of a walker, please don’t be put off! As well as offering a fast race for those wanting to push themselves, the 5k and 10k events offer interesting routes around our city passed key landmarks along the way. Run what you can, alternate running and walking, or just walk and enjoy the experience and the lively atmosphere!
“You’ll need just £10 to register for one of our charity places and must be committed to fundraise at least £100 for us. We will provide a Communicare technical fabric running T-shirt for you to wear on race day, sponsorship forms and tips and support with your fundraising and training, as well as lots of encouragement on the day from our ‘Communicheerers’.
“So, if you, or someone you know, might be interested in a charity space with us, please get in touch or pass on our information.”
Communicare is currently supporting more than 750 individuals/families through tasks including, befriending, transport for appointments and assistance with shopping and always needs more donations and volunteers to help with its work.
To download the registration form, click on the following link www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk/marathon-2025/.
Annie adds: “We know that running isn’t for everyone, so if you’d like to be part of our Support Squad, we’d love to hear from you too. Our ‘Communibear’ costume is up for grabs as well. Or perhaps you’d like to help in our gazebo at the race village and tell people about our work, as well as encouraging and supporting our runners/walkers.
“We also need as many people as possible to sponsor our team this year, as we’d like to raise more than £2,000 from this event. Please sponsor #TeamCommSoton via JustGiving here: www.justgiving.com/campaign/communicaremarathon25.”
Anyone interested in finding out more can visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.
