Having been away to Spain for a few days I am feeling very chilled and ready for a busy weekend in Newcastle supporting our runners taking part in this year’s Great North Run (although I have just heard the weather forecast for Sunday and it doesn’t sound very good!)
This year we have a team of 21 runners who will be taking to the streets in Newcastle in aid of NRAS. The Great North Run is one of the most iconic of all the half marathons. So many spectators take to the streets to cheer the runners on as they take on the 13.1 mile course, it really is an experience not to be missed if you are a runner. Our very own Leo Watson, Government Affairs Officer, is taking part this year and hopes to complete in under 2 hours. If you would like to show your support of Leo or any of our runners please visit our website at nras.org.uk/fundraisers . Good luck and thank you to all our runners, Ruth and I look forward to meeting you at the finish.
We still have a few remaining places in this year’s Great South Run, a 10 mile race in Plymouth taking place on the 27th October. This is a great run for first time or experienced runners as it’s a very flat course. If you would like to take part and run for NRAS please email me at val@nras.org.uk or give me a call on 01628 501547. We can help with training, sponsorship and will even supply you with a stylish NRAS running vest!
Our delivery of Christmas cards arrived last week, can you believe we chose our cards in January of this year! If you visit our website at nras.org.uk/christmascards over the next few days you will see our full range of cards and money wallets (my favourite card is ‘Red & White Christmas’). If you visit our online shop at stores.ebay.co.uk/NRAS-Char... you can also buy discounted cards and wrapping paper, along with the rest of our merchandise range. Alternatively you can call us on 01628 823524 and order over the phone. Before you know it Christmas day will be here!
Plans are now underway for our annual Christmas Carol Concert which takes place at All Saints Church in Maidenhead on the 13th December . Graham Barker has kindly agreed to be our musical director once again, this is always a huge relief to me as he is excellent! Cox Green School Brass Band will be making an appearance again, they were very popular a couple of years ago and we are delighted they are able to join us once again. You can reserve your tickets by contacting me at val@nras.org.uk or phone 01628 501547. Entry is free and there will be a retiring collection at the end of the evening. I do hope some of you will be able to join us for the evening.
I’m looking forward to meeting some of you at our Members Day on the 19th September at Solihull College. The programme promises to be an interesting day with a Q & A session in the afternoon with an expert panel from Solihull Hospital. Its not too late to register to come along, simply call 01628 823524 and ask for Emma.
Its time to put our events programme together for 2014, I’m currently looking at challenges/runs/events which might be of interest to our supporters. We will have our usual runs/challenges, however I would like to include something different this year. If you have any thoughts or ideas of what you would like me to include please do get in touch by emailing me at val@nras.org.uk.
Finally we are today launching the NRAS Lottery! For just £1 per week you can help provide a vital and regular source of income to support those people living with RA in the UK and give you the chance to win up to £25,000 each week. Find out more on how to play and register at nras.org.uk/lottery
I must sign off now as I need to find my wet weather gear to pack for the weekend! As always any questions or comments or if you would like to take part in an NRAS event or organise your own, please feel free to email me at val@nras.org.uk, I would love to hear from you.
Val
Events Fundraiser
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