The team behind one of Chislehurst’s best known annual fundraisers, Why Not Run, have announced that places for this year’s event are now available.
All funds raised will be going towards specialist cardiac screening for young people in the local area (through the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young) aged between 14 and 35. All race participants within this age bracket will receive priority booking for these screenings.
This year, organisers will welcome Bob Neill MP for Chislehurst and the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Ian Payne as well as Kent Sports Trust Foundation ambassador Ben Smith, of 401 marathons in 401 days fame who will also be taking part!
The multi-terrain cross-country event (which takes place on Sunday 7th May in the grounds of Farringtons School, which has generously supported this event since it began in 2012) will be raising funds for CRY via the locally based and well-known Ben Daniels Memorial Fund (BDMF).
Closing date for pre-registered applications is Friday, 28th April 2017.
And, the impact of the fundraising carried out by supporters of the BDMF across the South East – not least the Why Not Run team – has been incredible with over £160,000 raised to date and 20 screening days held (resulting in the testing of almost 2,000 local young people).
Ben tragically died in March 2011 from an undiagnosed heart condition whilst playing football, aged just 15. Since Ben’s sudden death, supporters of his memorial fund (which was established by his parents, Paul and Helena, from Bickley) have continued to work tirelelessly, raising money to host specialist screening sessions in the local area to test as many children and young people as possible.
Every week, 12 young (aged 35 and under) people lose their lives to sudden cardiac death in the UK – a statistic that is now believed to be a conservative estimate. In 80% of cases, there are no signs or symptoms, which is why the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) believes proactive, screening of young people is vitally important. Indeed, CRY’s pioneering screening programme now tests over 23,000 young people every year in the UK.
Now in its 6th year, Why Not Run is a charity fun run for all the family, which raises money for local children’s and young people’s charities. Set up by the Head of Junior PE at Farringtons School, Lavinia Long, the day offers a range of running events and distances for all ages and abilities – and in the past, has raised almost £40,000 for its nominated charities.
Event Organiser, Jackie Baker, says; “It is just such a privilege to be involved with this incredibly motivating event and to have watched it grow from strength to strength over the years. It is humbling yet inspiring to work alongside Paul and everyone involved with the Ben Daniel’s Memorial Fund – but we’re all driven by the same desire to raise awareness of the importance of cardiac screening in young people and the work of CRY.”
“I really believe that the Why Not Run event gives us a great opportunity to achieve this goal.”
Jackie adds; “We’re even encouraging fancy dress for all our races this year in a bid to make it more about the taking part than the winning!”
This year, a new race – a 5km pairs relay – will be introdcued to the programme, to try and encourage even more senior school participants. Each person will run just 2.5km, tag their running partner who then runs the final 2.5km.
Paul Daniels says; “The enduring ethos of ‘Why Not Run’ of taking part and having fun whilst raising awareness totally embodies the spirit of Ben’s memorial fund. I feel we are making such amazing progress in spreading the word about CRY and its ongoing mission to prevent these tragic – and often preventable – deaths in young people.”
“I know Ben would be so proud of everything we have accomplished so far and I really do want to thank everyone from our local community for their unrelenting support.”
An ECG (electrocardiogram) test is a simple way to identify the vast majority of abnormalities that can cause sudden deaths in young people. The test is quick, non-invasive and, if necessary, a further echocardiogram (ultrasound scan of the heart) can be taken on the same day to provide further clarity or reassurance.
Chief Executive of CRY, Dr Steven Cox, says; “We are so proud that our screening programme continues to make such an impact – both in the South East and across the UK. But we still believe screening needs to be extended to all young people and not just those who happen to live close to areas where fundraising and awareness is high.
“Although screening will not identify all those at risk, in Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in organised sport, the incidence of young sudden cardiac death has been reduced by 89%. Once again, one behalf of CRY, I would like to thank everyone who is taking part in “Why Not Run 2017” and we really hope everyone has a fantastic day!”
To find out more about signing up for Why Not Run 2017, please visit: www.whynotrun.co.uk or email: [email protected]. Free race tops will also be offered to the first 200 applicants!
Entry Fees: Pre-registration: £5 for the 1km and 2km races and £10 for the 5km races
On the Day Entry: £10 for the 1km and 2km races and £15 for the 5km races