Fun Run Success allows Rotary to donate £11,600 to local groups

Over hundred people gathered in early July in the Library Court of Sawston Village College to celebrate the success of the 12^th May Sawston Fun Run & Walk. On a balmy evening the Sawston Steel Pan Band ensured everyone was in a celebratory mood before the formal proceedings began when cheques to the value of £11,600 were presented to local organisations.

Jonathan Russell, principal of the college, welcomed and reminded everyone that in keeping with the ideals of Henry Morris, the college was proud to have been associated with the community event since its beginning in 1986. He complimented the Rotary club on all it does with the college to further the development of young people and introduced the Cambridge Sawston club’s new president Irene Childerley.

Irene said ‘The Fun Run was the Rotary club’s flagship event and was an example of how Rotary members around the world like to make a positive impact on their local communities. The club was delighted it could organise the event as clearly the community enjoyed the annual chance to come together and it gave the Rotary Club an opportunity to help local charities and organisations. That such a large amount of money has been raised over the years is evidence of the attraction of the event and we are just pleased we can play our part in making it happen’.

Ian Chamberlain, chairman of the organising committee, said that ‘the event had been ‘one of the most successful in recent years with over eleven hundred taking part in the alternative routes. Its success resulted in £11,600 being raised to donate to the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre and local organisations, taking the cumulative amount to over £468,000’. He introduced the film of the event made by Sawston Village College students.

He thanked all the seventy odd people who helped on the day and paid special thanks to    Sawston Village College and the event sponsor The Cambridge Building Society as well as other sponsors: Adams Harrison; Adcock Refrigeration, Morgan Sindall, McDonalds, Gibbs Denley Insurance Financial Services, Central England Co-op, Sawston Parish Council  and East of England Funeral Services.  

Ian said ‘the event could not be held without their financial support and that of the many community groups on the day such as the scouts, army and air cadets and Sawston Youth Group. He presented the annual shields to those individuals who raised the most sponsorship funding to: Lisa Bond and her carer Shirley Hudson, Jack Baskeyfield and Charlotte Falconer. Gifts were also presented to the college students who made the film.    

Victoria Stubbs, Chief Risk Officer of The Cambridge Building Society, expressed the society’s pleasure at being the event sponsor and said ‘Having supported the event since it started It reflects the building society’s commitment to the local community throughout its branch network and was pleased that many branch were so supportive by providing many hours of community support., especially on the day of the event.’

The evening concluded with a cheque for £3,000 being donated  to the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre and over £8,000 to the Footprints café, Icknield Primary School, Sawston Youth Drama, Sawston Youth Group, Granta School, Pippins Pre-school, Sawston Cinema Club, 1st Sawston Guides, Sawston Sports Centre, Whittlesford U.R.C. over-70s, St Mary's, Sawston, Whitsers Playgroup and the Ladybird Playgroup Thriplow.

Next year’s event will be held on May 3^rd and will be associated with the VE Celebrations taking place at that time. 

·           Cheques were presented to thollowing: