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Guernsey Parkrun’s appeal for much needed funds has met with a fantastic response.
Every Saturday at 09:00, a free community event takes place at L’Ancresse, where you can walk, jog or run 5K in a friendly, supportive environment.
Those behind the event launched its first fundraising appeal this week to help replace equipment.
“We do our best to keep our costs down as much as possible,” a spokesperson said.
“What I would call major expenses are the storage box which is kept at Pembroke by the Beach House Cafe/Public Toilets, the PA system, replacement finish tokens and course signs which take a battering in the winter and need to be replaced from time to time. On top of that there are numerous small items we like to be able to cover, particularly treats for the children at Halloween, Easter and Christmas, cakes for various celebrations.
“It had been on my mind for a while that our donations pot was running low, and things came to a head in the last couple of weeks when our equipment storage box, which has been battling the sea salt and wild weather for seven winters, finally decided it had had enough."
“The layers and layers of rust, both externally and internally had made it increasingly difficult to operate the locking system, and last Saturday we had to resort to extreme measures to get in to it, to access the course signage and other vital equipment.”
Organisers had to cut the corner of the lid to get in.
There is not enough money in the account to pay for a replacement box.
“So far the response from individual Parkrunners has been fantastic and it has raised awareness that we do have a donations page where individuals can choose to support us should they wish.”
Donations can be made through the event website through the about us section.
It also lists what money has been spent on.
An application has also been made for a grant from a local charitable scheme.
Parkruns take place at more than 2,000 locations in 22 countries.
It was founded in 2004 at Bushy Park, London.
The Guernsey Parkrun began in April 2016, with half of the £5,000 needed at the time covered by Parkrun UK and the other half raised by the organisers through Saffery Champness and a grant through the Guernsey Sports Commission.
This also allowed for a working balance to buy additional kit like course signs.
Saffery Champness continued with an annual grant, which has recently ended, and there have also been donations from Parkrunners and Parkrun supporters like Island Health.
Every week 100 to 250 participants, aged from four to over 90 take part.
More than 5,000 people are registered in Guernsey to take part.
There have been over 400 new registrations this year alone.
Each week more than 20 volunteers help the event run safely
Since it begun, there have been over 580 volunteers, called hi-viz heroes, who have helped out
Guernsey Parkrun has partnered with Island Health and Queens Road Medical Practice to promote the event to patients and staff.
It is also a quality assured partner of Bailiwick Social Prescribing, which can therefore refer clients to the event.
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