The Grand Appeal launches virtual running event across the city

Bristol Children’s Hospital charity, The Grand Appeal has today launched a new virtual running event to get supporters on their feet to support patients at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

The Grand Run, sponsored by Barcan+Kirby is a virtual running event that invites participants to lace up their trainers and put one foot in front of the other to raise vital funds for sick babies and children at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

From Sunday 27 September, the day that would have marked the Bristol Half Marathon, runners, joggers, athletes, walkers and whole families of all abilities and ages will be encouraged to take on a 1.3, 3.1 or 13.1 mile run within a two-month period.

With so many people taking up running during lockdown, the event is designed to make sure all that effort does not go to waste and their training miles are put to good use. Suggested routes will take participants on routes through the city centre as well as their local communities.

Nathan Fuller, The Grand Appeal commented: “So many people across the city took up running or increased their training during lockdown as part of their daily exercise. Now, the time has come to harness all that hard work and make a difference by participating in The Grand Run.

“We are asking you, the people of Bristol and beyond, to lace up your running shoes and make your miles matter for sick babies and children at the children’s hospital who need our support now. The date, distance, speed and how much you raise is up to you.” Participants sign up with a £15 entry fee which includes a t-shirt, posters, stickers, entry to The Grand Appeal’s Strava Club, provision of suggested routes and dedicated Spotify playlists. For every adult that enters, participants can claim a free child’s place which includes a kid’s t-shirt and Wallace & Gromit themed activity sheets. On completion of the challenge and by raising a minimum of £25 runners will be awarded a specially designed Grand Run medal and a certificate.

As the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity, The Grand Appeal funds ground-breaking medical equipment, three family accommodation houses, 20 specialist support staff and a programme of art, music and play in partnership with the hospital and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital.

Throughout lockdown, the charity has continued to provide its services to support the staff, families and patients despite the coronavirus pandemic. These vital services have included providing family accommodation to parents, so they can be close to their children in hospital, especially whilst alternative accommodation has been closed – as well as providing the funding for ground-breaking research into the natural history of Covid-19.

For more information on Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal and to sign up to The Grand Run visit www.grandappeal.org.uk/thegrandrun.