Sue Ryder Care Boxing Day fun run axed
A MUCH-LOVED charity fun run has been axed because bosses
say it wasn't making enough money.
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The annual Boxing Day event for Sue Ryder Care's Leckhampton
Court Hospice has been called off after organisers said it
wasn't a cost-effective means of raising cash.
It means hundreds of residents who take part in the event,
which starts at the Cheltenham hospice every year, will be left
disappointed.
Jo Partridge, area fundraising manager for Sue Ryder Care,
said: "Our benchmark is to raise £3 for every £1 spent.
Unfortunately the fun run doesn't achieve this.
"The limitations of the site mean that we cannot safely look
to increase participation, so we need to look at other
fundraising opportunities that have the potential to raise more
money for patients with life-limiting illnesses."
The run had been held for more than 20 years and had become
a highlight of the festive season.
Regular participant Gareth Thomas, 34, said: "It's a shame
that the fun run will no longer be taking place. I've been
doing it for the past seven or eight years and always thought
it was a great event.
"I think a lot of people saw it as a springboard for turning
over a new leaf after indulging a bit too much at the Christmas
table a day before.
"It was just a brilliant way to get outside, do something
healthy, and raise some money for a good cause."
Sian Harris, events organiser at Sue Ryder Care, said: "We
really appreciate the support we've had for the fun run over
the years.
"The team is continuing to plan a full schedule of other
events to raise the vital funds needed for the Leckhampton
Court Hospice.
"We hope that people understand the difficult position we
face and continue to support the hospice."
In 2007, residents complained when the entry fee for the run
trebled from £5 to £15. Organisers blamed the cost of health
and safety on the price rise.
The Leckhampton Court facility is the only inpatient hospice
in Gloucestershire, and supports up to 120 sufferers of
life-shortening illnesses each week, plus their families and
carers.
12 Comments
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by Daniel Patterson, Cheltenham
Monday, September 01 2008, 8:49AM
“I will never understand why people can accuse a healthcare charity of being 'greedy'. If Sue Ryder Care's first responsibility is to the hundreds of people they care for every year and their families, of course they need to do everything in their power to ensure they only run events which make enough money to be worth all the time and effort spent on them. If not, they should be spending their time and resources on other activities that help them reach the £1million plus they need every year for this vital local service. The event was always about raising money to care for people coming to the end of their lives, not just to give people a fun day out after eating too much on Christmas day.”
by John, Cheltenham
Thursday, August 28 2008, 11:17PM
“My mum's sadly in Sue Ryder now as she hasn't long left in life after only being diagnosed with brain cancer 4 weeks ago. She went in tuesday and I was totally overwhelmed at what a beautiful place it is and how lovely the staff are. I expected it to be more clinical but it's not and believe me it has given us all alot of comfort in these difficult times. I am horrified that they need to raise £1 million a year on top of any government funding just to keep going. Lets hope that some other organisation can help here so that some good money can be raised for Sue Ryder.”
by Glenn Bishop, Cheltenham
Thursday, August 28 2008, 11:52AM
“I helped on the first few Sue Ryder fun runs more than 20 years ago. Unfortunatly now the organisers have become greedy. Last year they charged runners £15 for the prividlidge of jogging two miles. Outragous price. There are several good charity fun runs locally, all who charge a reasonable price. I put the cancellation down to another example of greed.”
by Sian Harris, cheltenahm
Thursday, August 28 2008, 11:02AM
“We are holding an Autumn Fayre this year at Sue Ryder Care - Leckhampton Court Hospice on Saturday 13th September. Please come along and support the hospice.”
by Thomas, Cheltenham
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 9:48PM
“This truly is a shame - hope it is able to be sorted out and continue next year. I regularly attend the excellent summer fayres at the hospice but there wasn't one this year which I assume is because of financial matters also?”