News Release

6th September 2010

PEPPARD RUN AND WALK RAISES MUCH NEEDED CASH FOR FEED THE CHILDREN (UK)

Despite the inclement weather 292 registered runners and walkers, from cross country racers to dog walkers and weekend ramblers, raised over £5,000 (a 100% increase on last year) for Feed The Children (UK) yesterday (Sunday 5th September) when they strode out to take part in the Samuel Hood Memorial 10K Peppard Fun Run/7K Walk in Rotherfield, Peppard, Oxon. 

Overall winner and first man home was 18 year old student, Thomas Watkins from Great Sheffield, Hungerford who finished in just 36 minutes 46 seconds, one second quicker than last year’s winner, whilst first woman was Wiki Daniels, a programmer from Stoke Row, Henley on Thames, who recorded a time of 42 minutes 56 seconds, who beat last year’s winner by 11 seconds.  All winners received trophies sponsored by The Hood Family and Thomas’ name will also go on the annual BookRabbit.com winner’s shield. The Hood Family also sponsored the annual Best Fundraiser shield and trophy, which will be presented later in September.

For the juniors, veterans and walkers, first boy home was 14-year-old Sam Andrews from Waltham St. Lawrence who attends Reading Blue Coats School, with a time of 48 minutes 19 seconds; the fastest veteran (over 65) was Roy MacNeil (70) from Earley who clocked up 49 minutes, 14 seconds; and the first walker was David Bunn, aged 9, who attends Dunmore Primary School in Abingdon.

“It was fantastic that so many supporters turned out on the day, especially as the weather let us down,” says Feed The Children’s project manager, Sally Brown, “and to raise £5,000 is really good going. We are grateful to all our sponsors and supporters and especially the Peppard Organising Committee’s continued support, who established the event for us.”

The event started and finished at Greys Green Golf Course, thanks to the owners Mr and Mrs Alexander Hood who kindly give permission to use their land. The runners and walkers were fortified with free bananas courtesy of Fyffes; Lucozade Sport Science Academy provided drinks and advice on the day; Thames Water supplied the water; massages at the event by Body Retreat; plastic cups were supplied by Flexivend; Beville’s estate agents of Sonning Common provided the runners’ numbers, The Hood Family sponsored the trophies, and the loos were provided by A1 Loo Hire of Wokingham. The money was raised through the entry fees and sponsorship for the race and walk.