THIS WEEK marks the 35th anniversary of the Bromsgrove branch of Blood Cancer UK.
During this time, the group – formerly Leukaemia Research and Bloodwise – has raised £1,142,701 for research into blood cancers.
The branch was started in 1988 by Nicole Harris in memory of her son Marc who died from Leukaemia when he was just nine years old.
A year later, the first Bromsgrove fun run was held and has been going strong ever since with 250 participants lining up last year.
The branch smashed through the £1million barrier in 2018 and has kept on going towards the next one.
Recently a collection at Tesco Redditch raised £678.35 and Nicole is planning a packed 2023.
The next event will be a quiz night at The Court Leet Hungry Horse pub on March 24.
Teams of four are invited to enter for £25 per team to test their knowledge with the chance of winning a prize.
This year’s Bromsgrove Fun Run will be on May 14 and more than 70 people have so far signed up.
Nicole is hoping to get the numbers back to the 500 that the event used to attract pre-pandemic.
The Fun Run takes pace at Bromsgrove Rugby Club and runners can choose between a 5k and 10k course.
All runners receive a medal and all fund-raisers who collect more than £30 in sponsorship will receive a t-shirt.
The 5k route, which can be walked or run, follows the canal towpath for some of the route so children must be accompanied by an adult.
The 10k is more challenging and attracts runners from a wider area.
Chip timing will also be used to give accurate times for participants to log.
The registration web address has changed this year – people need to visit riderhq.com/events/p/pz6bi1gc/f/blood-cancer-uk-bromsgrove-fun-run – to sign up and they collect their numbers on the morning of the race.
Nicole said: “I can’t believe it’s 35 years – it has absolutely flown by while we’ve been busy raising funds.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped with the cause in those past three-and-a-half decades.”
People interested in the quiz should email [email protected] to register and for more information about the charity and a night time walk being held by Blood Cancer UK at Canon Hill Park on March 25.
One of the Bromsgrove committee members Martyn Rollason will be walking to Canon Hill Park from Worcester as part of the fund-raising.
