More than £13,000 raised for Ealing Foodbank by local runners
Residents of Ealing and further afield have taken part in a virtual challenge organised by Ealing Half Marathon Legacy (EHM Legacy), the community interest company behind Ealing Half Marathon. The challenge was organised as a replacement for the cancelled Osterley Park 10K and raised over £13,000 for Ealing Foodbank.
Over 500 adults and children pledged to run or walk 10km over 10 days between the 1st and 10th December and make a minimum donation of £10 to Ealing Foodbank. Some completed the challenge in one go, others spread it over the 10 days.
The Osterley Park 10K normally takes place every June and December at the National Trust’s Osterley Park and House and but both events were cancelled this year due to the pandemic. This replacement virtual challenge follows on from the hugely popular Queen of Suburbs and 13.1 Distance Challenge that took place in September instead of the Ealing Half Marathon.
"We are so grateful for the incredible support of Ealing Half Marathon and all those who took part in this 10K run” said Janet Fletcher, Ealing Foodbank Manager. “After just five months of the pandemic, we had fed more people in food crisis than in the whole of 2019/20, and after seven months we have fed 45% more people than the whole of last year. The number of people being fed by Ealing foodbank has been above 500 per week during the whole of the pandemic, but due to the amazing support of local people we have been able to meet this increase in need. The last thing any one of us wants to see is foodbanks becoming such a part of society that we forget that it is an outrage that they exist at all. As part of the Trussell Trust, we would love to see ourselves out of business in five years and for there to be a 'Hunger Free Future' for all, but in the meantime, we do what we can. We can only do what we do because of the generosity of our supporters."
Tom Kerry, Chair EHM Legacy commented, “Despite it being a very difficult year, it’s important to us that we remain at the heart of community, encouraging people to keep physically active and doing everything we can to support a vital local service like Ealing Foodbank. We’re equally proud how accessible our events have been this year, attracting many runners, walkers and those who would never have previously considered a physical challenge”.
To find out more about the support provided by Ealing Foodbank please visit their website: https://ealing.foodbank.org.uk.
You can still make a donation by visiting: https://my.racenation.co.uk/sponsorship/race/1782.