Sport Relief 2006: Swindon 

Swindon gets its socks on for Sport Relief 2006

Over five hundred people went that extra mile in Swindon today in the name of BBC Sport Relief.

Families, couples, children and even pets took to Stanton Park in the gorgeous sunshine to run the Sport Relief mile.

Room for one more on top: Swindon's Sport Relief mile was enjoyed by runners and walkers of all ages... plus the odd piggy back rider

Gladys Barr, Active Swindon Co-Ordinator, was pleased with how many local people rose to the challenge and donned their red socks in the name of charity.

"We've been really pleased with the response and it's been a beautiful day for it," she said.

"We'll have raised over £2,500 in registrations alone and that doesn't include any of people's sponsorship money.

"It's been great to see so many different people of all ages, as well as so many people running with their dogs! We've even decided to plan a Canine Cross event at Nightingale Wood for our next occasion!"

 

But dogs weren't the only animals on display. Jessica Perry and Ami Swamborough, both 25, bounded the mile together dressed as bunnies.

"This is the second of three sponsored runs we are doing this month," said Jessica.

"We've already run the Race for Life and are going to complete the hat trick by running the Hearts First Jog for the British Hearts Foundation on 27 July."

 

 

Two down, one to go: Bunny girls Jessica and Amy after completing the second leg of their charity triple whammy: the Race for Life; the Sport Relief mile; and, on 27 July, the Hearts First Jog

The Sport Relief Mile is the biggest mass participation mile in history with nearly 100,000 people all over the country going the extra mile to raise money for good causes all over the world.

John Inverdale is one of the main figureheads in the BBC campaign and we caught up with him when he was in Swindon last month for a 'school sports day' at the County Ground.

"There's no denying what an important cause it is," he said. "While half the money goes to countries like India and Africa where they continue to face such depravation and squalour, the other half is staying in the UK.

"54 local projects have benefited from Sport Relief in the last two years alone," he added. "We raised £20 million last time and are hoping to raise as much as £25 million this time round."

 

John Inverdale and chums (Katherine Merry (l), Jamie Cox and Alex Emery) launching Sport Relief in Swindon

 

Elsewhere in the UK Jamie Oliver and McFly kicked off the London Mile, former boxer Barry McQuigan took part in the Belfast Mile, while those running the Cardiff Mile were stunned by a Dalek Invasion!

But most of the money is expected to be raised from BBC's coverage all night on BBC One, presented by Gary Lineker, Sue Barker and Chris Evans among many other familiar faces.

Gallery of the Sport Relief mile