Release Date:  16-Jul-2008

A call for 400 volunteers to help marshal the 2008 Reebok Bristol Half Marathon has been issued. Event organisers Bristol City Council and two of the official race charities, Children’s Hospice UK and St Peter’s Hospice hope local people will come forward and help to make the half marathon a huge success.

The race is set to take place on Sunday, September 14 at 9.30 am. And volunteers are needed from 8am up until approximately 2pm. Volunteers must be aged over 18 - although organisers are interested to hear from organised groups of younger people. Anyone thinking about volunteering on the day will need to attend a briefing session at 8am on the morning of the race.

Marshalling the route, keeping access points clear, helping and directing spectators to view points and handing out bottles of water, medals and goodie bags to runners are among the many tasks volunteers are asked to cover.

 “Volunteers are always needed to make sure the race day is a success,” says Georgette Van Hoof, the city council’s race director. “Without the support of local volunteers, the Reebok Bristol Half Marathon simply couldn’t happen. This year we are asking volunteers to work with our official charities, which means not only supporting the half marathon - but also supporting the work of Children’s Hospice UK and St Peter’s Hospice.”

Tracy Tait of Children's Hospices UK, added: "If you’re not running, then volunteering for race day is a great opportunity to support the runners and the official charities. By helping us out for a few hours, you will be supporting the charity in achieving its vision for every life-limited child and their family to have access to the highest standard of children’s hospice care close to home. Please contact me to get involved; you’ll have a great experience on race day and the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference to a fantastic cause.”

John Flanagan of St Peter’s Hospice, Bristol’s Hospice said: “Volunteers have a crucial role to play - not only in helping out on the day - but also in supporting our work.  The Bristol Half Marathon is a really fun event to be involved in as you get to see and cheer on all the runners; professional and amateur, whilst providing a service for a local charity which supported over 6,500 local people last year! Many people will be running in memory of a close relative, friend or colleague but for those that aren’t we hope they are able to give up a morning and be part of the biggest sporting event in Bristol. ”

For further information about volunteering or to register as a volunteer please contact:
Tracy Tait at Children’s Hospices UK tel. 0117 989 7825 or e-mail: tracy@childhospice.org.uk as soon as possible or  John Flanagan, St Peter’s Hospice, tel. 0117 915 9300 or e-mail bristolhalfmarathon@stpetershospice.org

For all media enquiries relating to this press release, please contact Corporate Communications on 0117 922 2650.

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