Festival runners raise record donations for charity!

31 JAN2010

Organisers of the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running have announced that the massive sum of £661,119 was raised for charities from the 2009 event. The monies raised will benefit many local, national and worldwide causes, including the event's four nominated charities, Highland Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Scottish Community Foundation, and over 35 other associated national and Scottish charities.

Over 7500 people entered the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running which took place on 4 October 2009. Festival organiser, Malcolm Sutherland, said: We'd like to thank everyone who ran for charity at the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running. The fantastic figure of £661,119 is the highest in the eight year history of the event and is a great achievement alongside the training and dedication of our runners. Its great to know that thousands of competitors are thinking of others and making the most of the opportunity to raise money for good causes.

Bill King, chief executive officer of Baxters, said: "We are delighted to continue our support of Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, and to see the amount of cash raised for charity grow every year. Thank you to everyone who gave time and effort to contribute towards the superb total raised."

Laura Fernandez Diaz, regional events fundraiser for Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: "2009 was a fantastic year for Marie Curie Cancer Care at the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running. With more Marie Curie runners than ever before, we had a fantastic time meeting and greeting all of our wonderful and dedicated supporters. This has also led to more funds being raised for the charity than ever before, so a big thank you to all our supporters. We'll be back in 2010 with our Daffodil Cheering team and our complimentary massage for Marie Curie Runners."

Hayley Short, event coordinator of Macmillan Cancer Support said: "We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined Team Macmillan and helped support people living with cancer in the UK. The event was a fantastic success, had a great charitable atmosphere and was fun to be a part of. Macmillan can't wait to be a part of it all again in 2010."

Charity places are available for this year's event, taking place on October 3, 2010. Visit the Official Loch Ness Marathon website for full details of how to enter and combine running with supporting your favourite cause.