Get set to help make winter warmer for city’s elderly
MPMC AGE UK Funn run - pic 2
GET on your marks to spread a little warmth by wrapping up and taking part in a charity fun run to help the elderly.
Age UK’s Wrap Up and Run 10k event takes place on Sunday, February 24, at Willen Lake.
The event is part of a national series of 10k and 2k fundraising runs being held in February and March with the aim of making winter warmer for thousands of older, vulnerable people in Milton Keynes.
It is ideal for fun runners and joggers as well as serious runners and has the backing of BBC radio presenter Liz Kershaw who will be starting the race.
Every winter thousands of vulnerable elderly people in the UK die due to the effects of the cold, and this year that figure may rise to 25,000. That’s around 200 preventable deaths a day.
But Age UK and its local and national partners are working to raise awareness and raise funds to keep older people warm and well.
A spokesman said: “We’re providing social activities and contact for older people, as well as tips on combating the cold at home and outdoors. We’re keeping people warm and safe at home, giving out hot nutritious meals and offering information and advice 365 days a year.
“We’re also calling on the Government to boost the energy efficiency of older people’s homes. Act now to Spread the Warmth and help hundreds of thousands of older people.”
The following help and advice has been issued for those who have already entered the Wrap Up and Run event in Milton Keynes or are thinking of registering.
Fundraising tips
> Ask ten friends to sponsor you £5. Use an online fundraising site such as www.virginmoneygiving.com to set up your own page and email it to your friends, letting them know how their donation will help
> Host a dinner for five friends asking them each to donate £12.
Ask your local shops or supermarket to donate something for the meal like a bottle of wine or a dessert
> Challenge 30 people to guess your finishing time at www.guess2give.com. They pay £3 and will have a chance to win as 50p from each donation goes into a prize pot.
Where will your donations go?
> £5, the cost of your lunch, covers the cost of a befriender visit to an isolated older person.
> £12, the price of one month of broadband, pays for a home visit to check energy efficiency and insulation to keep heating bills down and homes warm.
> £25, the same as your round of drinks on Friday night, pays for transport and a hot meal at a lunch club for an older person.
Registration details
The 10k events cost £16.00 (£14 UKA affiliated) to enter and are open to anyone who would like to run, jog or walk the 10k route. Contact the Age UK Fundraising Events Team at 10k@ageuk.org.uk, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/10k, or call the 10k hotline 0800 169 8787 for more details. Chip timing will be available for runners and goodies will be available on the finishing line.
Get in touch
Older people and their families can call Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 65 65, where they can also order a free copy of ‘Winter wrapped up’ with a free thermometer.
Alternatively they can visit www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk to download the guide, get more information about the Spread the Warmth campaign and find out where their local Age UK office or shop is.
> There are lots of ways to help Age UK Spread the Warmth this winter. People can make a donation simply by calling 0800 169 87 87 or visiting www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk.
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
