10K fundraisers get a boost from Barbara Windsor (From News Shopper)

10K fundraisers get a boost from Barbara Windsor

4:05pm Monday 17th September 2012 in Fundraising

Barbara Windsor has written a heartfelt letter to two friends thanking them for organising a charity run to raise money for the National Osteoporosis Society.

Barbara, who has been a patron of the National Osteoporosis Society since 2003, wrote to Chislehurst friends Andrea Magold and Evelyn Medcalf to personally thank them for organising The Orange Appeal 10k Run, which will raise money for the charity. She will also join them on the day of the run to start the race and will present trophies to the winners.

In her letter, Barbara writes: “I’ve heard about the fantastic work that you’re doing to organise the Orange Appeal 10KM run and I wanted to send you a little note to say a really big thank you for everything that you’re doing to raise awareness of osteoporosis and of the National Osteoporosis Society.

"You don’t need me to tell you about the effects of osteoporosis – we’ve all seen first-hand how devastating fragility fractures can be. Your efforts really will make a big difference to the millions of people in the UK with osteoporosis.

"I’m really looking forward to meeting you in a few weeks, but in the meantime, heartfelt thanks for all your good work.”

Evelyn and Andrea were thrilled to receive the personal note and said: “It was a lovely surprise. It’s really lovely of Barbara to take the time to thank us, her words are very kind and really mean a lot. The support and response we have had to our race so far is really touching and makes it all worthwhile. It’s fantastic that everyone who is involved now knows more about healthy bones and the work of the National Osteoporosis Society.”

Andrea and Evelyn were also delighted to hear from acclaimed London marathon winner Hugh Jones, who has offered to help by measuring the course. Hugh is one of the world’s leading IAAF course measurers and has measured the London Marathon since 2002. In 1982 he became the first British man to win the London Marathon.

The Orange Appeal 10K Run starts at 10.30am on Saturday, September 29 from the Band Stand (Serpentine Rd) in Hyde Park, and has already attracted more than 500 runners.

If you would like to support the runners, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Orange Appeal 10K. For more information about the race, email info@aceraceevents.co.uk Based on information supplied by Siobhan Hallmark.