Hat-trick of football clubs sign up for Great Birmingham Run
With a month to go before the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run hits the streets of the city on Sunday, 5 May, three football clubs are on a mission to encourage fans to take part to fundraise for their community foundations.
Aston Villa, Birmingham City Football Club and West Bromwich Albion are calling on their supporters to support their club’s local schemes by tackling the Great Birmingham Run 10k or half marathon as part of each club’s running teams, with the incentive of special-edition running T-shirts and vests to wear on the big day.
Club legends gathered at the star line at Centenary Square with former Villa star Nathan Baker, AVFC Foundation ambassador Katharine Merry, former Blues star Roger Johnson, WBA mascot Baggie Bird, club legend Ally Robertson and charity fundraiser Blind Dave Heeley for the Albion Foundation.
It is the first time the big three clubs have committed to take on the annual event with such large numbers and the clubs hope to see hundreds of fans wearing their team colours with pride on Broad Street on Sunday, 5 May.
From Christmas gift campaigns and wellbeing workshops to school coaching sessions and chances to meet their heroes, the three clubs’ projects support a variety of schemes and projects in all areas of the West Midlands and directly help those who need it most.
The Aston Villa Foundation works closely with partners from a variety of backgrounds in Birmingham as well as supporting the wider ‘Aston Villa family’ to reflect the charity’s mission statement of ‘Working Together to Enrich Lives’.
Olympic Bronze Medallist and Aston Villa Foundation ambassador, Katharine Merry said: “Whether you are running for yourself, for charity, by yourself or in a team, nothing beats running around the second city! It’s a fabulous course with amazing support.
“Having taken on the Great Birmingham Run twice for the Aston Villa Foundation, each time I have been blown away by the support. It’s such an amazing feeling running round the roads of Brum… a superb day. Come and join the fun!”
Click here to register with the Aston Villa foundation.
The Birmingham City Foundation will be covering the entry cost for the 10k run, as well as providing a limited-edition UNDEFEATED x Nike running vest for the first 200 supporters who reach £150 in donations on the Foundation’s GoFundMe page.
Funds raised through the Great Birmingham Run will go towards expanding the Foundation’s work to provide football for young people with limited access to sport.
To represent Blues at the Great Run, sign up to be part of the Foundation team by clicking here.
The Albion Foundation is covering the cost of either the 10k or half marathon and ask that participants raise a minimum £100. In addition, attendees will be given a T-shirt for the run.
Click here for more information.
Pictured: Roger Johnson and Jake Malbasa for the Birmingham City Foundation
