A call out has been made for runners to take part in a festive fun run in aid of South Tyneside’s KEY2Life Foodbank as it continues to see a huge spike in due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
The annual event, a highlight of South Tyneside’s festive season, is taking place along South Shields seafront on Sunday 12 December 2021 from 9am with participants encouraged to take part in Christmas-themed fancy dress.
The run is being organised by Run Eat Sleep – South Shields founder Luke Adams. There is a marked 1km route for children and families, along with beginners, plus the usual 5km route for regular runners.
Those wishing to take part are asked to bring along either a food or toiletry item on the day as their ‘entry fee’ which will be donated to KEY2Life.
Most urgently needed items at the foodbank include cereal; tinned custard/rice pudding; tinned fruit and vegetables; tinned meat & fish; tinned soup; instant type snack meals; pasta/curry sauces; bottles of juice; Christmas fare/festive packaged treats and confectionary; toothpaste; toilet rolls; shower gel; baby items; washing powder and cleaning products.
Foodbank donations should be dropped off to the Run Eat Sleep team on the morning of the run between 8-8.45am at their registration tables on The Dragon – car parking available along Bents Park Road.
Alternatively, runners can also make a cash donation on the day or donate directly to the charity online, by cheque, by BACS or by text – for full details of ways to donate visit: keyproject.org.uk/key-2-life-christmas-appeal.
Luke Adams, Run Eat Sleep-South Shields founder, said: “Our annual Christmas Fun Run is a great community event that everyone can get involved with. Come out and join us with your friends and family and help to make a positive difference to the lives of others in our community by supporting KEY2Life Foodbank.”
Jo Benham Brown, Business Development and Communities Manager at KEY Project, said: “It just wouldn’t be Christmas without Run Eat Sleep’s annual festive fun run and we’re delighted that Luke and his running group have once again chosen to support KEY2Life.”
“Christmas is an especially challenging time for all those KEY2Life supports, but this year more than ever. We have seen a 310% increase in the number of referrals since the pandemic hit and are regularly feeding over a thousand people every month; combined with the increase in fuel and energy prices and the removal of the £20 Universal Credit Uplift many are facing desperate hardship.”
“As a charity we rely heavily on the support of our community and are blown away by the support we receive from the public, both in terms of donations, food and financial and all those like Luke who fundraise on our behalf.”
For more information about Run Eat Sleep-South Shields visit runeatsleep.co.uk. or for any Christmas Run related enquiries please email luke@runeatsleep.co.uk For more information about KEY2Life Foodbank visit their Facebook page (@key2lifesouthtyneside)