MEETING AND EVENTS INDUSTRY INDIVIDUALS BRAVE THE TERRIBLE WEATHER TO CONQUER THE ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON AND RAISE NEARLY £20,000

A supreme effort was required from both experienced and novice runners representing Meeting Needs in Sunday’s Royal Parks Half Marathon. In one of this year’s biggest fundraisers for the charity 26 runners started and completed the race and, incredibly, with some of the runners achieving personal best times for the 13.1 mile challenge event through some of London’s most attractive green spaces.

Jennifer Jenkins, the Chair of Meeting Needs said “we are delighted that we were able to field such a fabulous group of runners, which combined youth, experience and a broad spectrum of representatives from our industry, to take on this challenge for Meeting Needs. I was amazed by their spirit and comradery ahead of the race, particularly considering the very tricky and not to say damp conditions that they faced”

Early indications are that the total raised may well exceed £20,000, this will directly help good causes in the UK and overseas funding at least three and maybe four large projects, changing the lives of people who very much need our help.

Kate Conway, who is responsible for fundraising for the charity, said “this year saw us field the largest team ever and is one of our most important individual fundraisers. We’d very much like to recognise the efforts of those who took part this time individuals and teams from agencies such as Fresh, DMC Advantage, First, Worldspan, Pure Events, Inspirational Venues and suppliers like etc.venues, Sparq, Belmond, Shangri-La and Westminster College, Cambridge. We are hoping to continue to increase the number of runners next year to 40 so that we can include more teams from Corporate Meeting and Events organisations”

It’s not too late to show your appreciation of the commitment these individuals showed by boosting the total raised even further by making a direct donation to Meeting Needs by visiting the Meeting Needs website and following the “Make a Donation” link and using the reference RPHM18.

To take part next year, as an individual or a team, please email Kate kconway@meetingneeds.org.uk.