Festive feet forward for charity fundraisers

Festive fitness fans have kicked off their annual fundraising campaign in Shrewsbury after attracting a record number of entries.

The Shropshire Shufflers’ 12k of Christmas asks people to pledge to walk, jog or run one kilometre a day for 12 days in December to help raise funds for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.

Organiser Francesca Hutcheson is the Tax Director at Dyke Yaxley Chartered Accountants in Shrewsbury, and a Trustee of the charity.

“In the four years since we launched this event, we have had nearly 2,000 participants from schools, companies, clubs and other organisations, who have helped to raise over £8,300 for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. This year we have 750 people taking part, including teams from four primary schools in the county and around 20 local businesses.”

The largest team entries for 2019 are from Network Telecom in Telford, and Henshalls Insurance Brokers in Newport and Shrewsbury, closely followed by a team of Mrs Hutcheson’s colleagues from Dyke Yaxley and FlexIT.

“We’re delighted to see so many people pledge their support for this year’s event, and I can’t wait to start handing out the medals to everyone who completes the challenge,” said Mrs Hutcheson.

The Lingen Davies Cancer Fund raises money to improve cancer services in Shropshire, Telford and mid-Wales, and celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year. Around 4,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in the Midlands region in 2018-19, and one in two people will have cancer at some point in their lives.

All funds raised by Lingen Davies, including the proceeds from the 12k of Christmas, are spent locally to make sure the best possible treatment and support is available in the Shropshire community.

Shropshire Shufflers is a running club based in Shrewsbury which started in 1981 and now has over 700 members.

Pictured: Back, from left, Mark Bramall (Dyke Yaxley), Jo Beaver (Beaver Bridges), Steve Taylor (Aaron & Partners), Dena Evans (Reech), Naomi Atkin (Lingen Davies), Simon Davies (FlexIT), Clare Williams (Baschurch and Myddle Primary Schools), Helen Jones (Bicton Primary School). Front, from left, Hugo Hutcheson (Bicton Primary), Steff Henson (Six Ticks), Isla Burston (Bicton Primary), Simon Meredith (Shropshire Shufflers), Max Walsh (Bicton Primary), Francesca Hutcheson (Dyke Yaxley) and Jemima Halle (Bicton Primary)