The 2023 Marlow Santas Fun Run – run on Sunday December 3rd – yet again succeeded in attracting the generosity of huge numbers of entrants and supporters. The Rotary Clubs of Marlow, which organise the event, have just confirmed that the event will enable £72,441 – from all sources – to be distributed to a wide selection of charities and good causes.
Much of the money is already on its way to the charities concerned. As an example the 2023 lead charities (Wycombe Homeless Connection and Macmillan Cancer Support) will share around £10,000 from entry fees, and in addition significant sums were raised for each from the various teams supporting them.
The organisers were able to create an £11,000 “Charity Pool”, made possible by the generous support of the Shanly Foundation, Softcat, the ACI Group, Bucks New University, the Clare Foundation, Heart of Bucks Foundation and Community Impact Bucks. The £11,000 has now been shared by 28 mainly local charities where teams of supporters entered and met the award criteria. Teams entering the event raised an incredible £34,000 for their chosen charities in addition to the proceeds from entry fees.
Charities benefitting included Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Lighthouse Central, Thames Hospice, Accessible Boating, various PTAs and Scouting organisations, Diabetes UK, Bone Cancer Research, Alzheimer’s UK, Sand many more.
In addition to the funds so far allocated the Rotary Clubs of Marlow expect to distribute many more thousands of pounds from Santa’s Fun Run proceeds to mainly local good causes over the coming weeks and months.
James Boultbee – CEO at Wycombe Homeless Connection – said: “Wycombe Homeless Connection was thrilled and grateful to be supported by this fabulous, famous run. Our thanks go to the Rotary Clubs of Marlow and every Santa that took part on the day, bringing festive fun on a damp day! The money raised is already helping people this winter who are homeless in Marlow and across south Bucks. Thank you!”
Gavin Tisshaw – Chair of Accessible Boating Thames – said “Accessible Boating Thames (ABT) provides the opportunity for anyone with a disability – of whatever nature – to experience being out on the river. Using our specially adapted boats, trained and qualified volunteers and a hoist mean that the many therapeutic benefits of being on the water are fully accessible. The Charity, based at Bisham Abbey, relies entirely on donations and is completely volunteer run. ABT works regularly with SEN Schools and groups such as dementia action as well as many other individuals and families. This year ABT has to find £60,000 for a new Wheelyboat (wheelchair accessible) and the funds raised by our team and added to by the organisers of the Marlow Santa Fun Run will make a real difference. We are grateful to all those involved in supporting this fabulous event”.
John Prout, Chair of the Marlow Santa’s Fun Run Organising Committee, said “We are absolutely delighted with the amount of money raised – and yet again the event has been a huge success. Every year we try to further improve the event, and in 2023 the Charity Pool of £11,000 created very strong appeal”.
The date for the 2024 event is confirmed as Sunday 1st December, and the website for entries will open on September 1st 2024. John added: “The event is now a cornerstone of the local calendar and is becoming one of the key opportunities for local people to get together and raise money for their favourite charity. Again a big thanks to all concerned.”
