Runners ‘Wrap Up’ and spread some warmth

Runners ‘Wrap Up' and spread some warmth at Harewood House for Age UK

Hundreds of walkers, joggers and runners from across Yorkshire brightened up Harewood House when they joined in the fun at Age UK's Wrap Up and Run 10k and 2k events on Sunday 6 April to raise vital funds for older people locally and across the country.

Lydia Curran, Head of Events at Age UK, said: 'We are delighted with the number of people who took part in our 10k and 2k events in Leeds. It came to life as hundreds of locals walked, jogged and ran the route, all to help support vulnerable older people. Everyone had great fun raising funds for older people. We can't thank everyone enough.'

Money raised from the event will go towards Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign, which helps older people in later life keep warm and well during the colder months by providing information, advice and practical services, preventing many older people from being left isolated and alone. Working together with local charity Age UK Leeds, funds raised from the Harewood House event will also support vital local services such as Befriending for the charity's Making the Link project for older people living in the city, as well as Age UK's national work.

Julia Edmunds, Corporate Director at Age UK Leeds said: 'During the cold spells over the winter our services provide a vital lifeline to many older people in the local area so every penny raised by runners at the Wrap Up and Run event really does make a difference for the older people who rely on us. We'd like to thank everyone who has donated so far - it's not too late to give so please get in touch.'

To donate to the Charity call 0800 169 8787, Text Ageuk to 70004 to give £5 or go to www.ageuk.org.uk.

For more information about Age UK fundraising events, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/events or call the Events hotline on 0203 033 1725 or email events@ageuk.org.uk.

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Images

Download images from the event:

Warm up at Harwood House (JPEG 2.2 MB)

Setting off at Harwood House (JPEG 1 MB) 

Media contacts

For more information on Age UK or for interviews please contact Karen Richards on 0203 0331428 or email Karen.Richards@ageuk.org.uk.

Notes to editors

About Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign

This winter 24,000 older people may not survive the cold weather - that's 200 deaths a day that could be preventedi.

During the Spread the Warmth campaign, Age UK and its local and national partners are working hard to help older people keep warm and well throughout the winter in a number of ways, including through winter benefit checks and handyperson services. They are providing hot nutritious meals at local lunch clubs as well as home visits and friendly telephone calls through befriending services for those who may feel isolated. Age UK also offers information and advice 365 days a year and older people and their families can call Age UK Advice free on 0800 169 65 65.

Age UK is urging older people and their friends and family to be prepared this winter and it's also calling on MPs of all parties to support investment to boost the energy efficiency of older people's homes and help them keep warm. The Charity is calling on people to help them spread the warmth this winter by joining its campaign to tell MPs about the need for warm homes or making a donation by calling 0800 169 87 87, visiting www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk or donating £5 by texting WARMTH to 70004.

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances.  We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).