Over 1000 people ran, jogged and walked to raise thousands of pounds in aid of Cure Leukaemia at yesterday’s Richard Massey Memorial 5k Fun Run in Sutton Park.
Midlands marathon man ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley, former Blues and Baggies football star Geoff Horsfield and a host of BBC WM 95.6 presenters including Joanne Malin and Adrian Goldberg took part in the 5k family fun run.
Supported by BBC WM’s Red Alert Appeal, the fun run will help fund new research at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Cure Leukaemia Chief Executive James McLaughlin said: “It has been great to see so many people come out and show their support for the pioneering work of Cure Leukaemia and raise thousands of pounds for the BBC WM 95.6 Red Alert Appeal. The money raised today will make a real difference, not only to children living with leukaemia, but also their families.”
Blind Dave, who officially started the run and also took part, said: “What a great day - it’s surprising how sport brings people together, in particular for me running events. Crossing that finish line supporting a charity such as Cure Leukaemia makes you feel and think of the people who you are supporting.”
Winners of the fun run included Zoe Brockington (Adult Female), Katie Dolan (girl aged 12-16), Ajohntae Smith (boy aged under 12) and Olivia Worth (girl aged under 12).
The money raised by BBC WM’s Red Alert Appeal will help pay for nurses to carry out lifesaving clinical trials for blood cancer patients with drugs not readily available on the NHS.
The pioneering treatments administered by Cure Leukaemia, which is based at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, can offer a lifeline for leukaemia patients, who have explored all other options, and ultimately can save lives.
The charity’s next event is Cure Leukaemia Day, the first day of the Third Test between England and West Indies at Edgbaston on June 7.
