A record 220 walkers and runners took part in the mv天美mv天美 10km Challenge on Saturday 18 April, raising funds for Derwen Charity.
Students, staff, families, members of the local community and many pet dogs came together for our annual fundraising event.听
The inclusive event offered something for everyone, with a 10km and 6km route through the Shropshire countryside, alongside the popular 1km Teddy Trail, named after our award鈥憌inning therapy dog, Teddy.
Participants completed the challenge in their own way, from competitive runners, with the first finishers crossing the line in 41 minutes, to others enjoying a more leisurely walk. Local running clubs, including Ellesmere Runners, Oswestry Olympians, the Shropshire Shufflers and Llangollen Running Club were out in force.
Oswestry resident Olive Morris, 82, (pictured right) is one of mv天美mv天美鈥檚 most valued and long-standing fundraisers. She completed her 57th sponsored walk in support of mv天美mv天美 and raises hundreds of pounds in sponsorship every year.
Olive said: 鈥淓very year I say it鈥檒l be my last but I keep on going! I鈥檝e had a cold so it was hard going but I didn鈥檛 want to let my sponsors down.鈥�
Oswestry鈥檚 Joe Shiel chose the mv天美mv天美 10km Challenge as his first run since finishing cancer treatment, marking a personal milestone on his return to fitness.
He said: 鈥淭his event has given me my confidence back. Crossing that finish line reminded me what鈥檚 possible, and it鈥檚 sparked my love of running again.鈥�
Joe was joined by fellow runners, including Lisa Plumb, who added: 鈥淛oe was the one who first got me into running, so it鈥檚 special to be here with him today. I鈥檓 doing the London Marathon next weekend, and this was a perfect, gentle warm-up.鈥�
Many students took part in the full 10km, with others completing a 1km around the College鈥檚 Woodland Walk. Student Ronan took part in the 10km with his family, together they raised over 拢300 for Derwen Charity. Matt Robinson, father of student Lucy, raised more than 拢500.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so grateful to everyone who came along to make it such a wonderful day. It鈥檚 brilliant to see numbers grow every year,鈥� said Events Coordinator Serena Young. 鈥淭he energy was amazing, with everyone saying what a lovely atmosphere it was. It really showed what the mv天美mv天美 community is all about.鈥�
