A BITTER morning in February proved a fitting time to highlight the importance of keeping Sheffield’s elderly population warm in winter.
Clad in gloves, scarves and woolly hats, hundreds of runners braved the cold and descended on Graves Park yesterday for the inaugural Age UK Wrap Up and Run event.
An army of more than 600 fundraisers of all abilities got their blood pumping by taking on the 10k race around the park.
Flurries of snow fell, but the route remained dry for the men and women pounding the paths.
For the boys, Michael Chadwick came in first in a time of 36 minutes 38 seconds, while Katherine Fitzpatrick came top in the ladies’ results, completing the distance in 40 minutes and 32 seconds.
One of the teams which took part included staff from Sheffield’s Home Group in Westfield Terrace. Employees Lindsay Rich, Heather Cook, Kay Graham, Lyndsey Gambles, David Bagnall raised more than £200 in online sponsorship pledges in return for taking on the run.
Organisers Age UK Sheffield took to Twitter to congratulate those who took part, posting: “What a fantastic morning.” The event was part of a national series of 10k and 2km fundraising runs taking place throughout the UK in February and March.
Participants are raising funds for Age UK’s Spread the Warmth campaign, which aims to make winter warmer for thousands of people in later life during the colder months.
Organisers from the city’s branch of Age UK, formerly Age Concern, say proceeds will fund work and projects to encourage older people to ensure their homes are heated.
Karen Richards, spokeswoman, said: “Age UK Sheffield offers of services including information and advice and one-to-one practical support at home. We will soon be launching a membership scheme to tackle loneliness.”
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