Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, is encouraging members of the community to do something extraordinary and take part in the Bournemouth Marathon Festival and Great South Run to support children and adults living with disabilities in Dorset.
If running along the glistening coastline with a competitive edge is an appealing prospect, then the Bournemouth Marathon Festival is a runner’s paradise. There are many running events taking place during the weekend of 6 – 7 October including a full marathon, supersonic 10k, supernova 5k and junior runs from 1k to 5k. No matter your fitness level or age, the Bournemouth Marathon Festival provides a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get involved and raise money in aid of Diverse Abilities.
For those who want to travel further afield and join 20,000 runners, The Great South Run offers a flat 10-mile route in Portsmouth on 21 October. Enjoy exclusive access through the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, home to HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum.
Taking part in the Bournemouth Marathon Festival is Jon Wheatley, aged 27 from Poole. He said: “I have worked for Diverse Abilities for over six years now, across nearly every service, so have a very strong connection with the charity and everyone it supports. I have toyed with the idea of completing a marathon for a few years now and I felt it was time I stepped up to the challenge.”
Lauren McCullough, events manager at Diverse Abilities, said: “Running is a fantastic way to keep fit and get social, and both events are a great way to take on a personal challenge, while supporting a local Dorset charity. If you sign up with one of our charity places, our fundraising team will be with you every step of the way, helping you with training and fundraising ideas.”
Jon added: “I have been fundraising online using JustGiving and getting a lot of support from friends and family. I have been keeping everyone up to date with my training via social media and encouraging everyone to donate – even if it is a small donation it all makes a difference to the extraordinary children and adults Diverse Abilities supports. The charity has been great at giving me ideas on how to fundraise as well as providing training plans to help me increase my distances in preparation for the marathon ahead.”
For further information about the Bournemouth Marathon Festival and Great South Run, plus how to sign up with a Diverse Abilities charity place, please visit www.diverseabilities.org.uk/runwithus
By taking part in a running event for Diverse Abilities, your fundraising could achieve the daily cost to run the advice service to provide guidance and support, specialist toys for children with disabilities to play with, a day’s vital medical supplies for the children at the charity’s specialist school and much more.
If running isn’t your thing, find out what other exciting events Diverse Abilities has to offer by visiting www.diverseabilities.org.uk/events or call the fundraising team on 01202 718266.