Last Sunday, Team Merton braved 10 kilometres of mud-splattered commando crawls and fiendish Total Wipeout obstacles in the Rough Runner Challenge to raise money for local charities. Now they need your help to get them over the line and up to their fundraising target…
On 6th October, a team of 20 brave/mad individuals representing groups across Merton – including public health, local charities, police, the Clinical Commissioning Group and AFC Foundation – took part in Morden Park’s Rough Runner South London event to raise funds for Merton Giving.
Recruited and co-ordinated by Social Prescribing champion GP Mohan Sekeram, the team completed a fun but physical 10k challenge, tackling 15 unique obstacles inspired by TV game shows Total Wipeout and Ninja Warrior along the way – including the notorious Travelator. As such events generally involve copious amounts of water and mud, the team was delighted to be blessed with some sunshine on the day!
Merton Giving, a joint venture between Merton Chamber of Commerce and Merton Voluntary Service Council (MVSC) – an organisation that supports local charities – launched in 2018 with the aim of reducing inequality in the borough of Merton. It provides a focal point for local giving, harnessing the wonderful community spirit that is evident throughout the borough, by encouraging people and businesses to give money, time or in-kind support. All funds raised for Merton Giving provide financial assistance for charities working locally – so every penny raised by your donations goes to help Merton charities.
We were excited to hold our first grant funding round in July, when money was distributed to 30 charities. Beneficiaries included the Young at Heart Club, a volunteer-led lunch club (with an average volunteer age of 82!) that provides hot meals and activities to isolated people in the Figges Marsh area. Funding from Merton Giving is allowing them to increase their activities and take their group on outings – helping to combat loneliness and social isolation.
To date, Team Merton have raised more than £2,600 by taking on the Rough Runner Challenge. But we’d love to boost their total to take them to their target of £4,000. You can help them, and help build the Merton Giving fund to support our local community if you make a donation via JustGiving here.
Thank you from us all!
If Team Merton’s story has inspired you to take on a sponsored challenge on behalf of Merton Giving then please get in touch.
Email jenny@mertonchamber.co.uk for more information or with details of your event, or head over to social:
Twitter: @MertonGiving
Instagram: @MertonGiving
Facebook: /MertonGiving
