Race for a Cause: Join Winston’s Wish at the Cheltenham Running Festival

COULD you give a leg-up to help bereaved children and young people? Join Winston’s Wish, the UK’s first children and young people’s bereavement charity, at the Cheltenham Running Festival held on Sunday the 16th of June and race toward a world where no young person is left to grieve alone.

Held at the prestigious Cheltenham Racecourse, this charity fundraiser offers 5K, 10K or Half Marathon distances and provides a brilliant opportunity to smash your personal best, enjoy one of the most prestigious race venues in the Cotswolds or aim for a new fitness goal – all while raising vital funds to help support children and young people when their worlds are turned upside down by grief.

Winston’s Wish is proud to be the official charity partner of this exciting run event. This year the Cheltenham Running Festival is held on a significant date for many – Sunday, the 16^th of June – a time that many will recognise as Father’s Day.

Kerry Waite, Sporting and Challenge Events Officer said:

“We are delighted to be joining with the Cheltenham Running Festival as their official partner this year. We know that runners from far and wide love the opportunity to come together to run at the Cheltenham Racecourse and gain rare access to a very special venue in the Cotswolds.  

“Many of those who also chose to run under the Winston’s Wish banner are champions of our cause too – we as a charity provide direct support and give hope to grieving young people and it’s amazing to see so many people join our community and help us to continue providing the right support at the right time for these bereaved children and young adults. We look forward to seeing lots of people wave the Winston’s Wish flag this Father’s Day.” 

While many people will be spending quality time with the father figure in their lives, countless children and young people across the UK are bereft of their dads. Devastatingly, estimates suggest that each day 127 young people are told their parent has died.

She added:

“This year’s event is especially poignant as many will recognise the 16th of June as Father’s Day. Many of the children and young people we support are bereaved of their fathers and so this day will not only stand as a powerful reminder for all those who are grieving the death of their dads but especially as a uniting moment for those who come together to help us support them.”

Daisy is a Winston’s Wish Youth Ambassador, one of a dedicated group of young people with lived experience of childhood bereavement who help to shape the charity’s services and content. This year Daisy is taking part in the Cheltenham Running Festival in memory of her dad.

Daisy explained:

“Me and my brother Archie are taking part in the 5K this year in memory of our dad, Richard. The run is not only on Father’s Day but also on the seventh anniversary of his passing. We thought it would be a good idea to use the opportunity to help others who have found themselves in the same position we did seven years ago.

“Taking part in the run and seeing how much money we have raised is bittersweet, but it shows how far we have both come since we lost him. It is a great feeling to know that we are helping others by fundraising and taking part in the run.”

With a headquarters in Gloucestershire, Winston’s Wish is the UK’s first children and young people’s bereavement charity and supports more than 60,000 children and young people up to the age of 25 across the UK when someone significant to them dies.

The charity has been established for more than thirty years and provides on-demand support and one-to-one counselling by referral to grieving young people. Winston’s Wish also trains education and industry professionals and offers a range of free resources and advice to help support bereaved young people.

Could you race towards a world where no young person has to grieve alone? If you are interested in finding out more about the Cheltenham Running Festival then please review this dedicated webpage.

Winston’s Wish is keen to reassure bereaved young people and their families that they are welcome to chat online, email or call for free to speak to a bereavement support worker by calling 08088 020 021, emailing ask@winstonswish.org or using the live chat at: winstonswish.org.