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Monday 31 March 2014

Colourful Easter costumes race around Horsham in charity fun run

Dozens of runners dressed in colourful costumes helped to raise 200 Easter eggs as a donation for a children’s hospital at a fun run in Horsham on Friday (March 21).

A total of 33 adults ran a 5km route or walked for 3km, starting from Chennells Way - with many dressed up as rabbits, a daffodil, a chicken and even a lifesize carrot.

A swiftly arranged children’s race which included 38 eager runners as young as five years old preceded the adults’ run, with the youngsters racing two laps of the green in Chennells Way.

The run was organised by a group of Horsham and Southwater parents hoping to raise donations of Easter eggs for seriously ill children at the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London.

Southwater couple Jo and Dave Taylor’s son, Joseph, was cared for at the Evelina before tragically passing away two years ago.

The Taylor family have this year welcomed the arrival of another baby, Elysia, and will be taking chocolate and Easter craft donations to the hospital for the sick children and their siblings during their hospital stays.

Marathon runner Simon Brown volunteered as the race director for the evening and his running club donated many Easter eggs.

The children started with a warm up to Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’, and a dance routine pumped them up for the run.

Two sets of twins took part, Abigail and Harrison, six, and Emily and William, five, along with their big sister Maisie, seven.

Adults lined the course to cheer the children on and they all finished with a sticker, smiles and high fives.

Then it was a quick jog back to the house for pancakes, hot chocolates and strawberries.

In the adults’ race, leading the pack was Dave Taylor who took some young boys under his wing.

Dave was first to cross the line, bringing Ryan, ten, Alex, nine, Oli, ten, and Caleb, ten, with him, quickly followed by all the other runners. Helen Walden and Loraine Mosley acted as tail runners to ensure that everyone made it back safely.

Runner Sabrina Gant, who helped to organise the event, said: “We were overwhelmed with the contributions of cakes and treats which everyone brought to share.

“Passing cars tooted us along the way and pedestrians with bemused expressions gave kind words of encouragement.

“We were greeted at the finish line with cheers and applause from all the volunteers who had stayed back to prepare delicious hot chocolates and pancakes for us all.

“A special thank you must go to Emma O’Neill for making over 150 pancakes and to Naomi Davies for co-ordinating the kitchen.”

So far 200 Easter eggs, books, craft sets and money towards gifts for children who are nil-by-mouth have been donated for the Evelina Children’s Hospital and donations are still coming in. If anyone would like to donate please contact lucyekeeling@gmail.com

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