FORCE raises record total from Great West Run

FORCE Cancer Charity is on course to raise nearly £70,000 from this year’s Bishop Fleming Great West Run.

Money is still coming in from sponsorship but FORCE is confident of smashing an original target of £60,000.

The charity, which offers free support and advice to anyone locally affected by cancer, had a record number of more than 300 sign-ups for the 2024 half marathon around the streets of Exeter.

Their partnership with the event has proved so successful that FORCE has now been announced as official charity partner for the next three years.

Next year’s Bishop Fleming Great West Run will take place on Sunday May 25. You can enter what will be a special 40th anniversary edition at thegreatwestrun.co.uk 

Supportive

Team FORCE runner Lindsey Pattinson is encouraging people to sign up after the buzz she got from this year’s race.

“I would say do it, 100%! FORCE are really supportive. Because it’s FORCE you get a lot of people sponsoring because they do so much for people that are going are doing through cancer and are really supportive leading up to the run. Do it definitely,” she said.

Blind runner Robin Williams said it was an easy decision to run for FORCE.

“I had cause to use FORCE over the last five or six years. Touch wood, health is all good at the moment. I’ve been getting into my running a bit and when I saw that FORCE was the headline, it was a no brainer really to try and raise some money to give a bit back for all the support I have had, along with my wife, over the last few years,” he said.

Ravi Poorun said: “This is probably one of the most friendly runs I’ve ever been too. It’s great fun, great atmosphere and FORCE are brilliant all along the way.”

Amazing

Samuel Brodie added: “The crowds were amazing all the way through, I really enjoyed it. I loved it!”

The Bishop Fleming Great West Run has become one of the UK’s most popular half marathons and as well as providing a boost to the local economy, it also helps local charities raise thousands of pounds in vital funds.

Chloe Richardson from FORCE, said: “We can’t thank our Team FORCE runners enough for their amazing efforts out on the course and for some incredible fundraising.

“We are delighted to be The Bishop Fleming Great West Run Official Charity Partner for the next three years and with the help of our amazing runners, we can build cancer support together.”

Special

By registering for FORCE for the 2025 event, runners will get a FREE entry into the event, a FREE FORCE running vest and support to help reach their fundraising target. In return, each runner will be asked to raise a minimum of £90.

Rupert Martin from organisers WMP Creative, said: “We are looking forward to an extra special year at The Bishop Fleming Great West Run to celebrate the event’s 40th anniversary. As part of that we are so pleased to welcome FORCE back to the event for what is set to be another fantastic year of fundraising for them. It’s wonderful to be able to support such a formidable, local charity and cause.”

“Thank you to all those who took part in 2024 and played an important part in supporting FORCE and all the great work they do to help local people dealing with a cancer diagnosis.”