A great run for a great cause in Budleigh Salterton

“Fantastic scenery”, “a challenging course”, and “a good friendly atmosphere” are just some of the comments that have been made over the years by runners in Budleigh Salterton’s Jurassic Coast Run 10K.

The 2009 event on Saturday 22 August is likely to continue a successful tradition, with an anticipated 250+ runners from all over the UK taking part.

As in previous years, the Jurassic Coast Run has raised money for Exeter-based cancer charity FORCE http://www.forcecancercharity.co.uk/ and is again being organised by Exmouth’s Jane Newman.

With a course embracing coast, cliff, river and rural paths the Run offers amazing views as well as some tough challenges. Starting at 11.00 am at Budleigh’s Lime Kiln car park, it follows the River Otter before turning on to the Jurassic Coast path as far as Crab Ledge, where the route turns inland. It then follows beautiful country tracks before turning back along the River Otter and ending at the Lime Kiln car park where the runners are rewarded with a barbecue.

The male and female winners for the 2007 event were 21-year-old Tom Merson with 00:34:44 and 35-year-old Juliet Knowles with a time of 00:42:10. Last year the organizers took a break, but are looking forward to welcoming runners old and new this Saturday. Many participants plan their holidays around the event.

FORCE fund raisers have helped to finance improvements in patient care through research, the purchase of advanced equipment, and the new Information and Support Centre conveniently located within the grounds of the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital in Barrack Road, Exeter.

Open every weekday, the Centre offers a relaxed and comfortable environment where you can just drop in, sit quietly, chat with friendly volunteers, take light refreshments or meet with experienced staff to ask questions and discuss your needs.

FORCE was first registered in 1987, and thus celebrated its ‘coming of age’ in 2008 - having kickstarted that achievement with ‘Classics Galore!’ in November 2007. Since then, numerous events have taken place in way of celebration.

During those 21 years FORCE has become a well-known and popular local charity, and that is exactly where it has its greatest strength – being a local charity. Also during that time, the research work carried out all over England has meant a rapidly changing world of cancer services on offer. That, of course, means more equipment, more medical staff and more support for patients and their families.

That is where FORCE comes into its own, for the support offered at the Centre is nothing short of superb. It is important that anyone who is going through the trauma of having cancer, or being close to a person who has cancer, can be assured of support by a dedicated team.

“FORCE is not government-funded, but relies totally on voluntary financial contributions,” says the charity. “Thousands of pounds are raised by the wonderful people who organise events for FORCE each year, and all of this money goes towards the day-to-day running of the Support Centre. Every penny is vital.....and gratefully received!”

Departments helped by FORCE to purchase valuable equipment for oncology treatment include Radiotherapy, The Centre for Women's Health, Breast Cancer Care, Urology, Cherrybrook (Oncology Day Case Unit) and the Oncology Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Wonford. Equipment has also been purchased for Torbay Hospital.

Also funded by FORCE are two Research Studentships whose work is focused on ovarian cancer and lung cancer at the Peninsula Medical School.

More information is available at:

FORCE Cancer Charity
Corner House
Barrack Road
Exeter
Devon
EX2 5DW

Phone: 01392 402875
Email: forcefr@forcecancercharity.co.uk

Images of the Jurassic Coast Run 10K courtesy http://www.jurassiccoast10k.co.uk/ where more information is available.