Local Runners Gear Up To Support CLIC Sargent at EMA Event

More than 650 people from across Derbyshire have signed up for a unique family sports event around East Midlands Airport on Sunday November 27 to raise money for CLIC Sargent – the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people and their families.

Two thousand places were available for the EMA 10k and 2k Run around parts of the airport which are usually only accessible to staff members.  These places have now all been taken and many more are on a waiting list. So far more than £1,500 has been pledged for CLIC Sargent and organisers East Midlands Airport and Derby-based HUUB Events are stepping up their efforts to rally further support for the event’s nominated charity.

Last year in Derbyshire, CLIC Sargent provided clinical, practical and emotional support for over 130 children and young people with cancer as well as their families – helping them cope with cancer and get the most out of life. CLIC Sargent Fundraising Manager Anna Finnegan said: “As part of our ongoing partnership with East Midlands Airport, we are absolutely thrilled to be the EMA 10k and 2k nominated charity. “Today, 11 more children and young people in the UK hear the devastating news that they have cancer.  Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK. “Treatment normally starts immediately but is often given many miles from home and can last up to three years.”

Anna continued that CLIC Sargent’s support services included social workers and play specialists based at Queen’s Medical Centre and Leicester Royal Infirmary, nurse specialists in the community and financial grants. When a child can’t stay at home and must travel to be treated, CLIC Sargent also provides free accommodation for families at its Home from Homes at specialist hospitals such as Billy’s House close to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre.

She concluded: “The average round trip for a young cancer patient is 60 miles – taking one hour 50 minutes – which is the same travel time as a flight from East Midlands Airport to Berlin. “I am sure therefore that this fact will be a poignant reminder to everyone taking part in this unique running event of the impact that cancer has one children and young people and their families. “To provide these vital services, we need to raise as much money as we can so we ask that everyone taking part considers setting up a Just Giving page to support young lives against cancer.”

To set up a Just Giving page, visit www.just.ly/EastMidlandsAiport10kandFunRun

House building and construction group Galliford Try are sponsoring the 10k and 2k event and other event partners include international footwear giant Skechers Performance™, High 5 Nutrition as well as Springs cleaning company in Burton, Derby-based MBS Construction and Jewson who are providing infrastructure and logistics support. All runners will register in the main airport departures terminal and then, starting at 10am, the first wave of 10k runners will be set off around the airport followed by the start of the 2k family race at 11.45am.  Finishers of the 10k receive a commemorative EMA 10k running top and medal and finishers of the 2k will receive an EMA 2k medal.

Jack Kelly, Head of External Affairs East Midlands Airport, said: “We have had a phenomenal response from seasoned and novice runners of all ages from across the East Midlands. “I hope that, with all the places secured, individual runners and families will now turn their attentions to raising whatever they can to support the vital work of our corporate charity CLIC Sargent. “The course for both the 10k and 2k races has been carefully planned to give runners a unique experience in areas that would not be accessible if we were fully operational. “This is therefore a fantastic event and will be a great day of sport to raise money for a very worthy cause.”

Visit www.huubevents.com for more information.

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