Making great strides for charity fundraising

The stunning grounds of Blenheim Palace were the setting for our intrepid CRM fundraisers’ latest challenge as they took on the Blenheim 7K Fun Run on a damp Sunday in May. The team of runners and non-runners were Kat, Tony, Jessica, Hannah, Beccy, Jess, Kate and Loren, plus Kat’s daughters who completed the one mile race.

Through generous sponsorship, the team raised an amazing £700 for CRM’s chosen charity Tiny Tickers, a small and determined charity that aims to improve the early detection and care of babies with serious heart conditions.

Loren said: “I have never been a runner and I didn’t train for this at all. But the sense of accomplishment I felt when I crossed the finish line was fantastic and I am really proud of myself for not stopping. Doing it for such a worthwhile charity made it even better.”

Kat added: “This challenge was out of my comfort zone as I’m not a runner, so I trained in advance and am very happy that I don’t need to do it again! The event atmosphere and doing the run with my work family for this amazing charity made it all worthwhile. My eldest daughter’s advice to sprint at the end (I shouldn’t have listened!) and my youngest daughter’s excitement after her run, made it even more special for me.”

Kate concluded: “Due to health issues over the years my fitness has been a bit of a rollercoaster, so being able to complete the Fun Run is a personal achievement of mine. Doing it to help raise money for a wonderful charity like Tiny Tickers makes it all the more special.”

The Blenheim 7K route took in the scenic trails and paths around the Palace grounds and was extended by 400m this year to include a run past the famous ‘Harry Potter’ tree and Rosamund’s Well. With the support of friends and families, the CRM team took the longer distance in their stride.

Continuing the theme of sporting challenges, CRM Director Jim Moore is taking on a 70 mile bike ride from Westminster to Islip in aid of Tiny Tickers in May too.

Adding to the successful fundraising events that have already taken place, the funds raised will help Tiny Tickers continue its vital work of detecting cardiac conditions early to improve the chances of a baby’s survival and quality of life. Around 6,000 babies are born with a serious heart defect in the UK each year, and around 1,000 of these newborns head home with no one realising their lives are in danger.

There are more exciting CRM fundraising challenges planned for 2022, watch this space!