insideKENT Magazine Issue 37 - April 2015 | Page 155

CHARITY BRANDS HATCH HALF MARATHON AND 10K UNITES RUNNERS IN THE FIGHT FOR EVERY HEARTBEAT More than 1,000 people took to the track last weekend for the BHF’s inaugural Brands Hatch Half Marathon and 10k in a united front against coronary heart disease, the UK’s single biggest killer. The famous race venue welcomed experienced and novice runners and their friends and family in sunny, but windy conditions, and enabled them to take on the challenging multiterrain route and join the fight against heart disease. The run, which started and finished on the historic Brands Hatch track, saw runners cover either 13.1 miles or 10 kilometres, battling against high winds, some testing hills and bends to raise urgently needed funds for the nation’s heart charity. First place in the men’s half marathon went to James Bennett with a blistering time of 1 hour 9 minutes and 50 seconds, while Sarah Anne Mooney took the chequered flag in the women’s half marathon in a time of 1 hour 32 minutes and 27 seconds. The 10k run was won by Andy Yiannouzis in 42 minutes and 29 seconds and Georgina Bennett in 47 minutes and 9 seconds. BHF event organiser, Alistair Hills, said: “The BHF and I would like to thank everyone who took part, everyone who supported our runners, and all of our volunteers. Coronary heart disease is not beaten yet – it remains the single biggest killer in the UK, and it’s because of your support that we are able to continue our fight to find a cure.” The BHF hopes to raise £100k from the event to help fund essential research, which could create a better future for so many – from babies born with heart defects, to the millions of adults affected by heart disease. Coronary heart disease is responsible for almost 80,000 deaths each year—that’s over 200 people dying every single day. Full results and race day pictures can be found at www.bhf.org.uk/brandshatch. The 2016 event has been scheduled for the 29th February and registration will be opening soon. Join the fight today and call the events team to register on 0845 130 8663 or visit www.bhf.org.uk/events. Alternatively, you can email the events team on [email protected]. APPRENTICE STAR ENCOURAGES YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO JOIN CHARITY ENTERPRISE SCHEME A candidate from popular TV show, The Apprentice, is hoping to encourage Kent schools to sign up to a charity’s fundraising initiative. Felipe Alviar-Baquero, who was in the 2014 series of the BBC programme, is supporting Demelza Hospice Care for Children’s enterprise scheme. Each year, the charity runs the initiative, which sees participating schools given £100 Felipe to put towards organising a Alviar-Baquero fundraising event. Last year, almost £10,000 was raised for Demelza from the £900, which was given out after pupils came up with a whole range of ideas from sporting challenges to cake sales. At the end of the scheme, the school that has raised the most money will be declared the winner. Lawyer, Mr Alviar-Baquero, who lives in West Malling, says he wanted to support Demelza as he has always admired the work of the charity, and believes the impact it has on its children and families is invaluable and unique. 155 He said he feels honoured to be involved with the enterprise scheme as he thinks it’s important for children to learn about entrepreneurship. The father-of-two said: “I believe we have to create a culture of entrepreneurship. “I think the children who take part will learn valuable skills including working with others, communication, and how business can have a social impact. They will also learn about the value of Demelza as a charity. “I would encourage children to get involved – I learnt many things from being on The Apprentice, but the most important thing is to always be true to your principles and not change for anyone.” The enterprise scheme will run until the end of the summer term. Demelza’s community fundraiser, Hannah Shotton, said: “We are delighted to have Felipe onboard with our enterprise scheme. We really enjoy running it and have always been so impressed with the great ideas the students come up with to raise money. “We hope to see as many schools as possible sign up to the 2015 enterprise scheme.” If you would like more information or to sign your school up to the scheme, contact Hannah Shotton on [email protected]. Find out more about Demelza at www.demelza.org.uk. Follow the charity on Facebook at www.facebook.com/demelzahospice or @demelzahospice on Twitter.