People of all ages gathered in the sunshine at Braywick athletic track to take part in the Maidenhead FundRun. This popular annual event is now in its 13th year and was, as always, organised by the Maidenhead Lions Club.
Four teams of eight took it in turns to run a 200m relay around the track. The number of these ‘runs’ gives the total for the team’s sponsorship. The challenge was thus to complete as many laps of the 400m track as we could within 55 minutes. An adult team of eight usually runs an average of 60 laps in the allocated time.
Bringing colour to the Maidenhead FundRun
Joining in the fun in all our yellow glory was the Big Wipes team, interestingly named Big Pants.
After nearly an hour, we managed to run (read jog, stroll, walk, wobble, limp, hobble, shuffle, crawl) ourselves into 2nd place. Unfortunately, we were just pipped to the post by the Deputy Mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead, Cllr James Evans’ team.
FundRun Co-ordinator and Lions Club of Maidenhead member, Don Everett said the organisation was especially pleased with how the day went. He stated: “The gods were kind, the sun shone and the wind was calm. It certainly was a good day with a nice crowd.”
Photo Courtesy of Simon Smith and Andrew Burdett
President of The Lions Club, Brenda Butler, added: “The Maidenhead FundRun is so inclusive because it is for the old and young as well as the disabled. It’s just wonderful and such a nice opportunity to catch up with everybody.”
“Schools, sports clubs, church groups, businesses or any individual who can raise a team are welcome.”
“Half of money raised by the Maidenhead FundRun will go towards Family Friends of Windsor and Maidenhead, which is the nominated charity of the Lions club. Equally importantly, the rest of the money will go to a good cause chosen by each team”, Brenda concluded.
What is the Maidenhead Lions Club
The Lions Club of Maidenhead is part of the world’s largest community service organisation, Lions Clubs International. At this point, an impressive 1.35 million members serve in 206 countries and geographic areas. Above all, the association is not only non-political, it is also non-sectarian.
Members are dedicated to the idea that the men and women who live in a community are in the best position to know who needs help and why. It is, therefore, very fitting that the Lion’s motto is ‘We Serve’.
The Club organises a number of fund raising events throughout the year to gather funds for the support which they provide to local people and to local, national and international organisations and projects.