(1888PressRelease)
November 14, 2008 - World famous sprinter Derek Redmond is getting involved in a special winter challenge to help grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. The athlete, who is a patron of Bournemouth-based Round Table Children’s Wish, will start the Echo-backed Laps for Lapland run in Meyrick Park on November 30th.
The event, which starts at 2.30pm, will see dozens of men and boys dressed in Santa suits running laps around Meyrick Park. Money raised will help the charity send children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to Lapland to meet Father Christmas.
Derek said: “What better cause can there be than helping to make Christmas wishes come true for poorly children? I urge everyone to show their support by taking part – who knows, the Olympian of the future could have their first brush with athletics dressed as Santa!”
Helen Jeffery, Fundraising Manager at Round Table Children’s Wish, said: “We’re delighted to have Derek’s support. It should be a lot of fun. “We’ll provide the Santa suits – all we’re asking the public to do is raise some sponsorship and run laps in the suits for 15 minutes.”
The four-day Lapland holiday, which includes flights, accommodation and spending money, includes a trip to the Snow Village to meet Santa and his elves and a chance to bake with Mrs Claus. Children also have the chance to visit Santa’s post office and workshop, enjoy a husky-drawn sleigh ride, tobogganing and meet Rudolph for a reindeer ride.
Among those hoping to go this year are eight-year-old Lewis and five-year-old Rhys who both suffer from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, four-year-old Connor who has Cystic Fibrosis, nine-year-old Ashley who has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and 12-year-old Alice who has Lymphoma.
To find out more about Laps for Lapland or to enter as an individual or a team call 01202 514515 or visit www.rtcw.org.
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