brmb, the radio station ‘Made in Birmingham’ has announced the return of the brmb Lookers Vauxhall Walkathon for 2011, with this year’s event set to raise thousands of pounds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
This year’s Walkathon on Sunday 8th May, will kick start a new fundraising effort to help raise the £500,000 needed to redevelop the Emergency Department.
Dominic Hardisty, Director of Development at Birmingham Children’s Hospital said: “We’re absolutely delighted that brmb has chosen us to be the beneficiary of this year’s Walkathon. It’s a really fantastic opportunity for the people of the West Midlands to rally around their Children’s Hospital and raise money to improve our Emergency Department. Thank you so much.”
After a fifteen year break, 2010 saw the return of the legendary 26 Mile sponsored walk, with over eight thousand walkers taking to the streets, raising over a third of a Million pounds to build a Home for the Brave, a new facility for injured troops at the QE Hospital.
Not only was this the highest figure raised by a brmb Walkathon ever, but it’s now one of the highest amounts ever raised by one single radio station event in the UK and even picked up an award for ‘Best UK radio station event’ at the Radio Academy Promotions and Marketing Awards last November.
brmb Chief Executive Phil Riley said: “Last year’s Walkathon was a record breaker and we were all completely overwhelmed by the fantastic support from the good people of Birmingham. This year we hope that with another big effort, we’ll do even better and raise thousands more, this time to help improve the lives of sick children and their families across the city”.
This year’s event will once again follow the outer circle Number 11 bus route, with walkers having a choice from four starting points along the route. Walkers can enter either Full or Half walkathon routes which are open to those aged seventeen and over or the shorter Junior & Family Walkathon, supported by Asda, which is approximately seven miles long.
Anyone wanting to take part must sign up in advance at www.brmb.co.uk, registration now open.
Phil Riley added “In 2010 we brought back this historic Birmingham event to try and make a difference – and we’re sure that Birmingham will step out again in 2011 in aid of this year’s great cause – a vital city icon in much need of our support.”
