Two Solihull charities have made flying starts to the year after receiving the proceeds from the seventh annual Blythe Valley Park Charity Fun Run.
The event raised £4,130 which was split equally between this year’s chosen charities Breast Friends Solihull and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, by organisers Liberty Property Trust UK, which manages the park, and Shirley Lions Club.
Over 400 people took part in the event, which included a 500m fun run for children under 12 and a 5km and 10km race around the countryside park and pathways of the business park, located at Junction 4 of the M42.
Kate Smith, of Liberty Property Trust UK, which develops and manages thebusiness park in partnership with Doughty Hanson & Co Real Estate, said: “Once again we had a fantastic turnout and have been able to raise a tremendous amount for our chosen charities.
“As part of the local community we like to support causes which make a difference in our area so we are delighted to be able to pass on such great sum. It is particularly pleasing that the attendance continues to rise year on year to a point where we now have over 400 people taking part compared to just under 100 in our first year. A lot of the tenants from the park like to enter a team, as do the charities and it is a great day for everyone involved.”
Martin Conlon, president of the Shirley Lions Club, added:
“It was a fantastic day with something for everyone and obviously the most important thing is that we managed to contribute to two great charities. A lot of people came in fancy dress and there was a prize for the best one which went to Thomas Halil and Grace Carpenter for their cavemen costumes. There were also prizes for the oldest and youngest competitors along with the competitive runners who were looking to take things a bit more seriously.”