charities / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Health & Wellbeing / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk October 7, 2016
A group of friends have set themselves a challenge to collectively run 2016 miles this year to raise £2016 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, in memory of their friend Steph, who had cystic fibrosis (CF) and passed away 10 years ago. On Saturday 8th October 2016 the group will be celebrating completing the challenge by running together at the Norwich park-run at Eaton Park.
The group knew Steph from their time together studying at UEA and most of the miles they’ve run have been in and around Norwich, where many of them still live. Whilst the majority of the miles have been on ‘solo runs’, they have also participated in several local races, including Wymondham New Year’s Day 10k, Norwich 10k, Ipswich half marathon and the Bungay Marathon. After they reach the 2016 mile target, they will continue to record and publish mileage to the end of the year. Several of the team are trying to reach individual goals, and will next be running together at an old team favourite; the Blackwater Farm steeplechase 10k at the end of October.
The group consists of Andreas Paterson, Chris Coleman, Christopher Puttock, Dan MacMillan, James Harvey, Jonathan Jenkyn, Malk Smyth, Mike Jones (Team Captain), Rachel Jones and Tracey Goodson.
Mike Jones, team captain, says “Steph was part of an amazing group of friends I’ve been blessed to have since I first came to Norwich to UEA to study in the nineties. Whilst some have moved away, we’ve all remained close ever since, and it really hurts to remember how losing friends this way makes you feel.”
“I also have family with CF and know the challenges everyone with CF faces every day, and the amazing work the Cystic Fibrosis Trust does helping those affected and supporting research into effective treatment and a cure. If you want to support us as we work our lungs hard and cross the 2016th mile together next Saturday morning, please visit our fundraising page at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/2016for2016. Thanks”.
In the UK there are nearly 11,000 people with CF. CF has a wide range of symptoms, including reduced lung function and vulnerability to infections, and problems digesting food. There is no cure yet, but one aspect of the CF Trust’s work is supporting research into understanding this complex condition and improving and extending the lives of people with CF, with the hope that soon a cure can also be found. For more information, visit the CF Trust website here – www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/
The team would really appreciate any help or exposure you can give us by raising awareness of our fundraising challenge. For further information, or to arrange an interview or request photographs, please contact the team captain, Mike Jones on 07986 642067 or [email protected].
Mike and several other team members will be at the Eaton Park park run in Norwich on Saturday 8th October. The run starts at 9am and the team will be available before and after the run. You can also follow the team progress on Twitter at @2016for2016, which includes automatic updates on the team mileage.
