Runners to take to illuminated prom in aid of Brian House

Charity fundraisers are once again set to run under the bright lights of Blackpool in the second ever Blackpool Night Run, supporting Brian House Children’s Hospice.

The event was first held in 2019, when 6,000 people ran 7.5km under the illuminations and raised an incredible £78,000 for the hospice.

Hopes for a live run last year were dashed by on-going Covid-19 restrictions, but more than 800 people took the streets for a virtual Night Run, raising a total of £24,500.

One of those runners was Amanda Swarbrick, who works as a health care assistant at the Bispham hospice.

She said: “Since starting at Brian House in early 2020, I’d seen lots of photos of the different events we hold, and heard how fantastic they were. They looked like such an amazing atmosphere; everyone pulling together to raise money. It was definitely something I wanted to be part of.”

Amanda, 31, signed up to the event with four of her friends, and when the event was made virtual, they decided to run along the prom the day it should have taken place.

“It was lovely – we saw other people wearing Night Run t-shirts and gave them a wave,” she said.

“It’s hard to describe the impact taking part in an event like Night Run has on the hospice. Seeing the children when they come into the hospice, or when we visit them at home, and the smiles on their faces as they are having a lovely time and making incredible memories; it’s priceless.

“I really enjoyed doing Night Run; it gave me something to focus on and I definitely felt like I was making a difference to our local families. I get to see first-hand where the money raised by amazing supporters goes, and how much it means to local fragile children and their families who need us. It’s a nice feeling to have been able to give something back. I’ll definitely be doing it again.”

Blackpool Night Run takes place on Wednesday 1^st September, and is a chance for people to run, jog or walk along a traffic-free promenade under the world-famous illuminations.

Kirsty Miller, Events Manager for Brian House, said: “We are really looking forward to putting on our second Night Run event after the success of the first one, and seeing our amazing supporters taking part in a live event for us again.

“We have been working hard to ensure that this event is as safe as possible for all those taking part, and we’re confident that this will be yet another amazing event to be part of.”

Entry to Night Run is free, but places must be booked online at www.blackpoolnightrun.co.uk. Participants are asked to consider raising sponsorship for this event to support the only children’s hospice on the Fylde coast.