Ten years running raises over £71,000

Colchester Mayor, Cllr Helen Chuah, had a welcome visit from a group of Witches and Wizards who handed over a magic £4,500 cheque on Thursday 10 November at the Mayor’s Quiz night – the proceeds from the 2011 Birkett Long Run4Fun.

This year saw the 10th anniversary of the Essex based law firm’s fun run event.  Over those 10 years a total of more than £71,000 has been raised for local charities.  The 2011 Run4Fun took place in September and was themed ‘Witches and Wizards’.  More than 400 runners dressed in hats, cloaks and other wizardry paraphernalia jogged the 2.5 mile course around Colchester’s Castle Park on 8 September, either in teams or individually, raising money through sponsorship.

As in previous years, the money was donated to the Mayor of Colchester’s charities, which include Samaritans in Colchester, The Colchester Carers Centre, Phoenix Group Homes, The Essex Community Foundation Fund, The Soldier’s Charity, The Colchester Scout Band, The Hospice and Children's Home in Malaysia.  This year, in memory of Birkett Long’s late Senior Partner, Christopher Holmes, the firm is also donating to its charity of the year, Christopher John Holmes' Charitable Fund.

Birkett Long’s Marketing Manager, Jennie Skingsley, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who dressed up and took part, as well as the local businesses that supported us through sponsorship.  Our staff also give up their free time to organise and participate and without their help the event wouldn’t be possible.  We’re thrilled to be handing over yet another substantial cheque that will benefit local charity organisations.”

To find out more and see pictures of this year’s run, or to register for next year’s event, visit www.birkettlong.co.uk/run4fun or search ‘Run4Fun’ on Facebook.