News
The Real Relay Arrives at the Olympic Stadium and Raises Thousands for CHICKS
- Wednesday, 25 July 2012 10:23
CHICKS staff and supporters from Devon and Cornwall joined over 200 amateur runners for the last 5 mile stage of the Real Relay on Sunday July 22nd as it made its way from Tower Bridge to the final destination of the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, London.
The Real Relay has been on the run non stop day and night for 55 days since it started out from Lands End on May 28th 10 days after the official Olympic Torch Relay.Over 2000 runners from across the British Isles have signed up to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity and the chance to play their own personal part in the Olympic celebrations. They have followed the Olympic torch route non-stop, covering 7,377 miles on foot over 55 days and nights. Instead of a torch, runners carried a baton with GPS inside allowing people to track the progress.Endurancelife Director, Andrew Barker, who conceived the idea of the Real Relay said:
“We watched the Olympic torch pass through our Devon village and as the torch bearer jumped in the van to drive on to the next destination, we looked at each other and thought, but what if the torch just kept on running?
It was an awe-inspiring challenge and many said it simply couldn’t be done, but the team at Kingsbridge based Endurancelife were determined to prove that the 8000 mile journey could be done the real way, non-stop and on foot.”
Each runner was asked to make a donation to CHICKS,the total raised so far is over £13000.CHICKS is thrilled to have been part of the Real Relay which is such an exciting and inspiring challenge and we are very grateful to Endurancelife for supporting us. Not only has the Real Relay been raising much needed funds for CHICKS but it is also spreading the word across the UK about what we do to help disadvantaged children.
Mark Dalton from Downgate, Cornwall, is a CHICKS supporter who carried the baton over the Tamar Bridge on day one. He travelled to London to be there at the journeys end and was the lucky runner to carry the baton across the finish line.
There was a real carnival atmosphere as the runners carried the baton along sections of the Thames path with passers by cheering them on. "The streets were parting for us - it was like Moses and the Red Sea. It was very special," said organiser Kate Treleaven." I think it will be a memory that will stick in our minds for a very long time. "It was the perfect way to cap off an eight-week journey.”
Throughout May we will be running our Change for CHICKS campaign. We're asking all our supporters to encourage their friends, family and colleagues to donate their small change to CHICKS. More...
