Six charities to support Run Garioch in 2024
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A record six official charities will provide volunteers for Inverurie’s Run Garioch on race day (Sunday, May 12) next year.
Organisers are delighted to be welcoming back three charities from last year’s event: long-term partners Inspire and Clan Cancer Support and one of the winners of the 2023 social media vote, Friends of the Neuro Ward.
The trio will be joined in providing valuable race day support by three new charities: CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland), Friends of ANCHOR and AberNecessities.
Andrew Reid, Development Manager at Inspire, said: "Run Garioch is one of the annual events that our supporters and the people we support really look forward to.
We can't wait to get involved again in 2024.
“Manning the water stations gives us a great opportunity to raise our profile in the local area whilst also providing an opportunity for those people we support to play an active role in their community.”
Erica Banks, head of communications at Friends of ANCHOR, said: “A great running event offers something for everyone, and the format of Run Garioch does just that, with kids races right through to a half marathon.
"This is a challenge with real heart, all about supporting the local community and third sector. We’re so pleased to be coming on board as an official charity partner for 2024.”
All six charities have also launched their campaigns to encourage runners to enter one of the races and fundraise on their behalf.
Dawn Smith, treasurer of Friends of the Neuro Ward, said: "The brilliant staff on the neuro wards at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Woodend look after patients with a wide range of conditions, including spinal and brain tumours/injuries, MND, MS, Parkinson’s and Guillain Barre Syndrome.
"By throwing on their running shoes for this event, our runners will be directly helping those patients.
"We'll use whatever they raise to buy the extras that will make life a little bit easier for them while they're on the ward.”
Michelle Herd, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of AberNecessities said: "We feel deeply honoured to have been selected as one of Run Garioch's charity partners.
"This recognition of our efforts is genuinely humbling, and we are forever appreciative of the overwhelming support from our community.”
She added, “To all the runners, whether new to the sport or experienced, we wholeheartedly encourage you to register for this exceptional event. "By doing so, you have the opportunity to raise funds that will undeniably create a positive impact, whether that is for AberNecessities or our fellow charity partners.
"Together, we are collectively brightening the future for so many."
Race day will also see many charities promote their good causes in the Run Garioch Event Village.
Alison Rennie, Bank Community Fundraise at CHAS, said, “We are delighted to have been selected as one of the charity partners for this great community event. It is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of CHAS and the amazing work we are doing across the local area.”
Ross Sangster, Community Development Coordinator for Clan Cancer Support, who have managed the runners’ bag drop at Run Garioch for many years, added: “Clan is here for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis.
"We provide emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer, their family, carers and friends.
"Our services are freely offered to all from pre-diagnosis and diagnosis through treatment and beyond at support and wellbeing centres located across the north-east of Scotland and Northern Isles.”
Graham Morrison, Run Garioch’s Race Director, said: “We are delighted to have six wonderful charities supporting Run Garioch next year.
"The volunteers, energy and experience they provide are essential for the event.
“I urge anyone thinking about entering Run Garioch to consider making their hard work on race serve a wider purpose by fundraising for one of them.”
Each of Run Garioch’s charity partners has reserved places in the Mackie’s 5k, Dandara 10k, McWilliam Lippe Architects 1/2M and CP&;Co. Junior Run, available long after general entries close, and each can provide runners with full support on their training and fundraising journeys.
