Charity run organisers looking for volunteers

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help with next month’s Sheffield Half Marathon, which will be raising money for 10 local charities.

Last year 95,000 was raised for good causes through the event, and this year organisers hope to break the 100,000 barrier.

The half marathon, as well as a three-kilometre fun run, takes place on Sunday, April 25, beginning from the Don Valley Stadium at 9.30am.

Julia Conlan-Greaves, from South Yorkshire’s Multiple Sclerosis therapy centre, said: “Not all of our members and volunteers can physically run the half marathon but that doesn’t stop them from taking an active part.

“Some participate in the fun run, or in our case the ‘fun push’ in wheelchairs.”

On the day of the race, people will be needed to work as charity bucket collectors, time zone and route marshals, T-shirt distributors and lunch box packers.

Ms Conlan-Greaves added: “Volunteers are an invaluable army of support as they donate their time, effort, energy and enthusiasm.

“Without their help many vital tasks would have to be paid for, reducing much-needed revenue generated for local good causes like ours.”

The 10 chosen charities for this year’s event are Sheffield Teenage Cancer Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association South Yorkshire, Macmillan Cancer Support, Myasthenia Gravis Association, RSPCA Sheffield, Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre South Yorkshire, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Margaret Lilley, chairman of the half marathon organising committee, said: “The Sheffield Half Marathon is getting bigger and bigger each year in participation, crowd support and entertainment so we really do encourage anyone with some spare time on the day to come forward.”

For more information on how to volunteer – or to snap up one of the few remaining places and take part in the half marathon itself – call 0114 2308429.