The Brighton Marathon is delighted to announce its charity partners for the 2013 Brighton Marathon which takes place on Sunday 14th April
The Official National Charity is Scope, the disability charity, while the Local Partners are the abcfund, The Martlets Hospice, SusSAR (Sussex Search and Rescue) and the Sussex MS Treatment Centre.
“There are a number of reasons why Scope was chosen as Official National Charity,” explains Race Director, Tim Hutchings. “It is significant that Scope is launching a new and fresh brand which has energy, drive and confidence. 2012 is the start of something big for Scope. They are rebranding, launching a £100 million National Appeal and it is Scope’s 60th anniversary. For all of these significant reasons, we felt that Scope was the appropriate choice.”
SCOPE ( www.scope.org.uk/ )
The disability charity will have a team of over 500 committed runners raising over £250,000 for the organisation’s work with disabled people and their families.
Alan Gosschalk, Director of Fundraising at Scope, said: “Our vision is a world where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else, it’s no small challenge. We’re really pleased to have the chance to build a dedicated team for this fantastic and well-organised event, which will raise vital funds for our work to support disabled people. We look forward to providing our runners with an amazing experience at the Brighton Marathon.”
LOCAL PARTNERS
abcfund ( www.abcfund.org/ )
The abcfund is a local charity set up to provide trips and treats for disadvantaged children and sometimes their families.
The Grounded Events Company, organisers of the Brighton Marathon, wanted to support this small charity formed by one of only four trustees who are all completely voluntary and unpaid
The charity is all about putting smiles on the faces of families who live with illness and disabilities day in and day out, year in and year out.
The Charity says: “We provide summer fun days out, pantomime seats, food hampers and presents at Christmas. This year, we also have a holiday caravan. The children may have suffered because of long-term illness, bereavement, having to care for parents, abuse, poverty or domestic violence. They often live with disadvantage day in day out, year in year out. We aim to put a smile on the faces of these children and give them a treat they remember for a long time afterwards.”
The Martlets Hospice ( www.themartlets.org.uk/home/index.html )
The Martlets Hospice provides end of life care for adults with a life limiting disease such as Motor Neurone Disease and Cancer where a cure is no longer possible. This care aims to relieve the symptoms associated with serious illness and includes emotional support for families and carers of patients through the illness and into bereavement.
Martlets’ facilities and services include an 18-bed inpatient unit, bereavement and counselling services and a Hospice@Home service.
Hospice care is completely free of charge to patients and families. The Hospice is a local independent charity and relies upon the generosity of its users and all sections of the community to fund patient care.
SusSAR (Sussex Search and Rescue) ( www.sussar.org/ )
Sussex Search and Rescue (SusSAR) is the primary volunteer resource used by Sussex Police in the search and rescue of vulnerable missing people. They are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
All members are volunteers, contributing their time and 100% of their own costs (training, equipment and fuel) free of charge, through the common desire to help others. The team is often called upon to assist other Search & Rescue groups throughout the UK. They rely entirely on donations from businesses and groups, and also the generosity of the public, to operate and provide this vital service to the people of Sussex.
Grounded Events wanted to be part of SusSAR’s 10th Birthday celebrations (2012 - 2013 is their 10th anniversary year) by offering them Local Partner status.
Sussex MS Treatment Centre ( www.mssussex.com/ )
The Sussex MS Treatment Centre is a charity that provides treatments, therapies, classes, support and social events for people living with neurological or long-term health conditions in the Sussex region.
We support each other in keeping control of our lives, countering isolation, and managing symptoms. The Centre’s aims are to maintain flexibility and mobility, provide pain relief, promote well-being and a positive attitude.
The Centre strives to keep its services affordable and accessible to all. Around 200 people per week attend the Centre, it is an inclusive and accessible community which also supports the families and carers of its members.
Click here to find out more about the 2013 Brighton Marathon
