The University of Essex is set to host its first ever Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile at its Colchester Campus on Sunday 25 March and people can enter now by visiting www.sportrelief.com.
As one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives – so it’s time to dust off those trainers and get involved.
The Colchester Sport Relief Mile is being organised through a partnership between the University and Students’ Union. Those taking part do not have to be sporty and can choose to complete one, three or six miles. All the money raised will help people living unimaginably tough lives right here on our doorstep, across the rest of the UK and in some of the world’s poorest countries.
So whether you fancy a sponsored stroll on a Sunday afternoon with your family or favourite pet; frolicking in fancy dress with friends; or donning your pumps for a quick sprint, join us and help change lives.
David Williams, Director of Sport from the University of Essex, said: “This is the first Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile at the University of Essex and it is set to be a great event in an amazing year of sport. On the day, we hope to be welcoming toddlers with their mums and dads through to super sprinters up against the clock.”
James Thornton, Vice-President for Sport at the University of Essex, added: “The Colchester Mile is being organised by the Students’ Union in partnership with the University and it will be a great chance for students to join together with staff and local people to have fun while raising money for a fantastic cause. There will be something for everyone on the big day and we are doing all we can to make it a special event for everyone.”
Sport Relief has a unique history of people doing extraordinary things to raise money. Last September, David Walliams started Sport Relief off with an epic splash when he completed The BT Sport Relief Challenge: Walliams vs The Thames. Despite battling a nasty bacterial bug and bitingly cold water, David swam a staggering 140 miles and has so far raised over £1million for Sport Relief. And that’s not all; there will be even more amazing celebrity challenges to get the whole nation geared up for the Sport Relief weekend!
The Sport Relief Weekend kicks off on Friday 23 March when the nation starts to get active, have fun and raise cash at home, at work or at school; before settling down to watch a night of top Sport Relief entertainment on BBC One. There will be even more BBC radio, online and TV coverage throughout the weekend to keep you entertained. By the end of the weekend everyone will be raring to go and people across the country will be taking part in Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday 25 March.
To enter the Colchester Sport Relief Mile visit www.sportrelief.com.
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Notes to Editors:
For more information contact:
The University of Essex Communications Office on 01206 872400 or e-mail: comms@essex.ac.uk
About the University of Essex
Founded nearly 50 years ago, the University of Essex is ranked in the top ten universities in the UK for the quality of our research and in the top 20 mainstream English universities for student satisfaction. It is the most internationally diverse campus-based university in Britain, with more than one third of our 11,000 students coming from outside the UK.
About the University of Essex Students’ Union
The University of Essex Students’ Union is a registered charity dedicated to helping its 11,000 student members love their time at university. Run and lead by students, the Union provides a complete support package for members, helping them manage their studies and personal welfare as well as ensuring that they are prepared for life after university. The Students’ Union also runs services and activities to make sure that students love their life outside studies including sports clubs, societies, volunteering, fundraising and award-winning bars, shops and restaurants. www.essexstudent.com
About Sport Relief
As the nation celebrates the biggest ever year of sport, the entire country can join in the fun with Sport Relief 2012 from Friday 23 March to Sunday 25 March.
Over one million men, women and kids are expected to take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile as they raise cash to change lives at home and across the world’s poorest countries. And, with a whole weekend of top Sport Relief telly planned across the BBC, it’s all set to be huge.
From David Walliams’ Thames swim to Eddie Izzard’s 43 marathons in 51 days, Sport Relief has a unique history of brave celebrities taking on gruelling physical challenges to raise cash and change lives. Sport Relief 2012 will be no exception with The BT Sport Relief challenges, a series of celebrity endurance feats. Visit sportrelief.com to keep up with the latest news.
Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).
About Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s has over 950 stores nationwide and is the UK's longest standing major food retailing chain, having opened its first store in 1869. Sainsbury’s has supported Comic Relief since 1999 and has raised nearly £60 million for the charity to date. In 2011, Sainsbury’s handed over a cheque for more than £10 million, which was the biggest donation ever received on the night of Red Nose Day. Sainsbury’s final donation to Comic Relief this year was a massive £11.4 million. For more information see www.sainsburys.co.uk/sportrelief.