Tom Ryder (left) and Andrew Fowler (right) are some of the runners that need cheering on Picture: Purple Elephant

Could you help cheer on runners for Frome charity at Bath Half Marathon?

Tait ap EllisMarch 1, 20250 Comment0

A FROME-based charity is looking for people to volunteer their time and help make a difference to the charity’s sponsored runners at the Bath Half Marathon this year.

Purple Elephant Family Support is looking for ‘cheerers’ and ‘goody bag-givers’ to join them in making some noise to support their team.

With 10 individuals running to raise money for this popular family support charity, Purple Elephant is looking for a lively group of people to cheer the volunteer athletes on from the side-lines as they pound the pavements, then offer them congratulations and hand out goody bags afterwards.

The marathon is taking place on Sunday, March 16.

Service manager of the charity, Sue Willis, said: “Runners always tell us how the cheering and encouragement of the crowd makes all the difference to keeping on going.

“So that’s all we’re looking for really – cheery people in full voice, ready to help our runners over the finish line.

“We can arrange lift-shares into the race site for those who are local too.”

Team Purple Elephant’s ten runners, raising money this year, include a builder who specialises in adaption work to assist disabled people to remain in their own homes, a video and events business-owner, a pre- and post-natal fitness instructor and a Bath University PhD student.

With varying levels of running experience, ranging from those who have run full marathons to those doing this for the very first time, they are all determined to make the distance, come what may.

Solo parent and first-timer, Sarah, laughed as she told the charity: “It’s hard finding time to train but I’ll push through and will have a very hot bath and take some nurofen after the big event!”

And regular Park Run enthusiast, Andrew, spoke about his motivation to keep the speed up.

“Some of my favourite runs are the ones with our dog Flora, who, let’s be honest, is the fastest of us all,” he said.

With just days to go before the Bath Half Marathon, Purple Elephant charity is asking the public to take a moment to donate to the team’s sponsorship fundraising page; the simplest way to do this is online, via the Home Page of their website www.purpleelephant.org.uk

Those who would like to volunteer to be there on the day, in person, cheering the runners on, are asked to email Purple Elephant Family Support at info@purpleelephant.org.uk for details and timings.