The 24-Hour Manchester run returned for its sixth year to help raise money to supply beds from ‘A Bed Every Night’ for the homeless.
The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness was 1/6 events across the country that have surpassed £100,000 in donations to provide 3.341 beds.
Starting at Midday on Wednesday, the challenge began at Freight Island in Manchester where they also finished at Midday on Thursday, with several runners scheduling laps of the run into their lunch breaks, after work on Wednesday, with some returning and training even harder the next morning before their shift.
With over 1000 Mancunian runners descending on the day-long challenge running around the city, Chorlton Runners helped to aid in the £50,000 goal that was reached on Sunday.
Chorlton Run Club was one of the many run clubs that hit the streets of Manchester last week to raise money to give the homeless a bed to sleep with the temperatures plummeting down, this is needed more than ever.
Chorlton Runners at The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness on Instagram @chorltonrunners
A 3-year homelessness strategy for Manchester was introduced this year to help dozens get a roof over their heads, reduce rough sleeping and create more suitable and affordable accommodation.
Around 50 members of Chorlton Run club took part, with Ian Sharp representing the club managing a whopping 95 miles in total.
Sebastian Bate helped with the organisation of the event and donations for Chorlton Run Club.
“This is our third year running with the 24-hour group, and definitely our largest in terms of donations towards the grand total – which we’re really pleased about.”
“It is great also for the awareness of how dark and cold it is during the winter months for the homeless; they aren’t doing the 24-hour run in June are they? It has for the previous few years been miserable weather. So, it is really good for getting the awareness out, for the cause behind it (the event).”
Chorlton Runners Club have 1-2 drives per year for donations for trusts, donating to Manchester South Central, with food and cash donations from members.
“When we do charitable efforts, we focus on Manchester based charities, and charities that have an impact on the community that we live in.”
“It is something that we will continue to be part of and continue to support.”
“It was a huge effort, especially the representatives 24 Hour group that came down and spoke to us and joined in with some of our fundraising activities.”
“So we are just really pleased it’s able to happen and proceeds to go ahead and make a huge difference for the homeless across the region.”
The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity also sponsored the event with Mayor Andy Burnham making an appearance in support of the cause.
Image from @mcr24hourrun on X
Volunteers and run leaders like Marv Lucas, Shomak Chakrabarti, Jay Orriss, Molly Glenister-Doyle and many others each smashed 100km or more.
Completely free to take part in, the run was split into 5km laps that were led by a team of run leaders. Runners could join for a 5k lap at any time within the 24-hour period.
Generous donations were made by Together Money who topped up the public donations to £20,000, as well as sponsors Auto Trader, Accenture and Mistral.
Many ended the 24-hour event with a post-run drink and chat at Freight Island in Manchester.
Donations are still being taken at – https://www.justgiving.com/page/auto-trader-24-hour