Page 30 - link magazine

Swindon takes up the ‘Runvember’ challenge for Christmas charity
A local running challenge across
Swindon raised much needed
donations for the homeless
charity Christmas Care throughout
November.
‘Runvember’ involved more than
150 people running every day
throughout the month and logging
their distances on a Facebook page.
Looking for fun, It was organised by Alan Butler, a
friendship building services contractor from
Royal Wootton Bassett.
and fitness? Mr Butler is no stranger to
running challenges. Last year he ran
BEGINNERS a total of 760 miles in the 30 days Run Santa Run - Alan Butler running for Christmas Care
RUNNING COURSES of November, with 227 of those
In just 10 weeks we will coming in the last week alone. element too, with participants last year’s challenge I used to
help you run non-stop for He said: “It’s a way of encouraging asked to take selfies with strangers frequently run through the town
30 minutes (approx. 5km) people who wouldn’t normally run during their runs and then post the centre early in the morning.
to try it and feel the buzz I get. pictures on the event’s Facebook “Seeing the homeless in the
INFORMATION AND When I’ve completed 20 miles, I page. There was even a day of the doorways made me realize how
REGISTRATION EVENING feel so proud and fulfilled. Thirteen challenge when a group left Coate lucky I am. For them I couldn’t
years ago I used to smoke 40 a day
Water to run around Swindon in
begin to understand how hard
Tuesday 5th January, 7.30pm and got out of breath walking up swimming costumes. it must be. To take part in the
at Unit 8, Star West, the stairs, but now I run 20 miles The challenge took place in aid challenge you had to donate a
Westmead Drive, SN5 7SW without even thinking about it. of Christmas Care, the charity that bag of items from a list at www.
“Last year I had 25 people join helps homeless people in Swindon christmascare.co.uk as your entry
For more information call me in the challenge and it was just during the Christmas period with fee.”
Clare on 07793 573487 a fun thing. I never thought that temporary accommodation, food Details and pictures from the
Email: [email protected] I would get 150+ people sign up and support. challenge can be found at: fb /
www.slinnallstars.co.uk this year, and the emotion that I Alan’s motivation to work with runvember2015 and you can visit
Affiliated to England Athletics get when people comment on the the charity during the challenge Christmas Care’s site at www.
Qualified Running Coaches Facebook posts is priceless.” came from the previous year’s christmascare.co.uk
The challenge also had a fun Runvember events. He said: “During l See Volunteer call on p2

30 swindonlink.com n December 2015