An opportunity to boost school funds and get fit in the process has arisen for pupils in the Berkshire area. Since 2016, Greenham Trust’s annual 10k and family fun runs event, Step Up 4 Good has encouraged more than 1,800 people to get active. Having donated £58m, it has helped fund projects for many schools and charitable organisations across West Berkshire and North Hampshire, including The Rosemary Appeal, Brighter Futures, Parenting Special Children, Parkinson’s, MS Therapy and many more.
Step Up 4 Good 2019 will take place this October at one of the UK’s most prestigious racing venues, Newbury Racecourse. Priding itself as one of the most unique running events in West Berkshire, Step Up 4 Good accommodates runners of all ages and abilities and educates the next generation for a healthier future.
Organiser Chris Sumner of Racesolutions, who has already hosted the Royal Berkshire 10k and Endure24 events this year, said: “We are passionate about producing exceptional running races that inspire people to run, our aim is to offer every runner, no matter their age, speed or goal, a sense of achievement, and lots of fun.”
Activating pupils’ community spirit 
Inspiring children to feel the benefits of leading a more active lifestyle, Greenham Trust is inviting primary and secondary schools to ‘step up’ and take part in this year’s runs. Pupils are also being encouraged to get involved and use the race as a fundraising opportunity, where they can raise money for their own school projects or select one from The Good Exchange platform.
Teachers, governors, group leaders and parents can simply download the Step Up 4 Good ‘Schools Toolkit’ online. It includes all the essential information and a step-by-step planning guide to help make the organisation process really easy.
As well as working in partnership with West Berkshire Council, to support the West Berkshire’s Let’s Get Active Fund, Greenham Trust is offering local state schools the chance to win £500 for a school project of their choice. Schools who register ten or more runners in any race will automatically be entered into a prize draw, when referencing their school name upon entry.
Kate Flowerdew, Headteacher at Spurcroft Primary School in Thatcham and winner of the 2018 schools prize draw explains how the £500 has made a difference: “The money given to us was used to purchase thermoplastic footprints for the school playground to complete the active walk around the perimeter of the school. We like to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage all children to get involved with sports at school and within the local community, so the money has given pupils more opportunities for physical and personal development.”
Libby Bucknell, Headteacher at Robert Sandilands Primary School in Newbury also winner of the school’s prize draw explains how delighted her school were to receive the cheque at Step Up 4 Good 2017: “The whole community can now benefit from the fact that the pupils will get more opportunities for physical and personal development. We could never afford to complete this project without the help of Greenham Trust.”
In 2018, pupils from St Nicolas C of E Junior School, Willows Primary School, Speenhamland Primary School, Curridge Primary School, St John the Evangelist Infant and Nursery, John Rankin School and Horris Hill School all raised funds for their own school projects via The Good Exchange.
New for 2019, Step Up 4 Good have introduced The Para-Mile. It is open to children under 15 with a disability or impairment, and gives children the opportunity to run, jog or walk the course for free.
Take part and get involved
Set to be bigger and better, Step Up 4 Good 2019 promises to provide fantastic indoor facilities, licensed bar and plenty of entertainment for both runners and spectators to enjoy as it relocates to Newbury Racecourse.
Chris Boulton, chief executive of Greenham Trust encourages everyone to step up: “We would like to see a lot more children from Newbury and beyond getting more active and involved in what is to be West Berkshire’s most popular event on the running calendar.”
Come along to an exciting family day packed with entertainment, competitions, delicious food outlets and a buzzing race village with lots to see and do. One lucky member of the public will have the opportunity to win a Golden Ticket and allocate a total of £5,000 funding from Greenham Trust to one local charitable project or split the total across a number of charitable projects on The Good Exchange.
Seasoned professional, complete beginner, old or young, it really doesn’t matter. Step Up 4 Good is about more than just running, it’s about challenging ourselves, celebrating our community and raising money for the many worthy local community projects.
If running really isn’t your thing, Step Up 4 Good offers a number of volunteering opportunities for anyone who wants to join in without putting on their trainers.
Register today for Step Up 4 Good 2019 on Sunday 13 October at Newbury Racecourse and boost your school funds!
To sign up, enquire about volunteering and for event details, visit www.stepup4good.co.uk/activate
