News Release

8th June 2010

HELP RAISE MUCH NEEDED CASH FOR FEED THE CHILDREN IN THIS YEAR’S PEPPARD RUN/RACE

Keen runners, father and son, Tom and 13-year old Harvey Jensen, from Reading are taking part again in this year’s Feed The Children (UK)’s Samuel Hood Memorial 10K Peppard Fun Run/7K Walk in Rotherfield, Peppard, Oxon.  The annual event takes place on Sunday 5th September and the chaps are encouraging everyone, young or old, walker or runner, to take part to raise much- needed funds and sponsorship for Feed The Children.

Harvey who attends Reading Blue Coat School says,  "I think more under-16s should compete in the Peppard Run. It is a great experience. I enjoy running on different terrain, through fields and in the woods, so I am definitely doing it again this year."

Adds Tom, "I couldn't begin to keep up with Harvey but it was very motivating to compete against so many runners. Reaching the finishing line was indescribable! And it's good to keep fit while raising money for children in poor countries."

Says the charity’s CEO, Brian Main, “A recent heart warming success just last month brought home to me just how important our work is. It is only because we have so many fantastic supporters in the area that we were able to save baby Allen from death. When I went to Uganda, baby Allen was near death but after two weeks of being nourished by Feed The Children (UK), Allen was a happy, healthy, smiling one year old.”

Starting and finishing at Greys Green Golf Course, adjacent to the Ruchetta Restaurant, Peppard Common on the B481 Reading to Nettlebed Road, RG9 5JU, the walk/run is suitable for all the family. For keen athletes and fun runners alike there is a 10K run, which starts at 10.30am and for leisure walkers and families (including the dog!) there is a shorter 7k route starting at 10.35am. Registration for both activities commences at 9.30am.

There will be trophies to be won by the person or group of people who raise the most sponsorship, the BookRabbit Winners’ shield and medals for the first man, first woman, first boy and first girl (under 16) and everyone who participates receives a certificate. Entry fee for runners is £10 in advance or £12 on the day, walkers, £5 in advance and £6 on the day. All children under 16 are £1.

“It would be fantastic this year if we could beat last year’s record fundraising total of over £3,000,” says Feed The Children’s project manager, Sally Brown. “We would love to hear from people who would like to raise sponsorship for the charity.  Please ring me on 0118 9320 095 for a form or visit www.feedthechildren.org.uk.”

The Peppard Run was renamed Feed The Children (UK)’s Samuel Hood Memorial 10K Peppard Fun Run/7K Walk last year. Sam was a keen runner from an early age and ran the fields and woods around the area for almost 25 years. His familiar jaunty running style never changed, whether he was taking on the ploughed fields and cow pastures of the early years or the more runner-friendly tracks and woodland. Sam particularly relished the challenge of the hilly Peppard Fun Run and for it to take his name on behalf of his family is a fitting memorial.

Feed The Children (UK) is also seeking volunteers for the event, about 40 people are needed to help register participants, man the water stations and marshal the course. Anyone interested in running, walking or volunteering for this worthy cause can download a registration form or please call us on 0118 932 0095 if you want to find out more about volunteering on the day. You can also visit the Peppard Run events page for more information...