A TEAM of West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) runners will take part in this year’s AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run on May 7 to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of a colleague.
The WMCA has entered a team into the run for the past four years, raising more than £20,000 for various charities and good causes.
This year, Team WMCA, led by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, will be running in memory of Linda Forbes, who played a key role in establishing Energy Capital.
The organisation was set up by the WMCA to lead the region’s transition to net zero.
Linda had been diagnosed with cancer and sadly died before Christmas.
Mass participation events like the Great Birmingham Run can have a positive effect on improving residents’ physical health and mental wellbeing – one of the key aims of the WMCA’s work to help ensure the legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
For many Team WMCA runners this will be their first 10k run and a personal milestone to getting fit and active, and it is one of a series of fund-raising events by the WMCA to support Macmillan’s projects across the West Midlands.
Simon Hall, the WMCA’s strategic lead for wellbeing and prevention and Team WMCA leader, said: “The Great Birmingham Run is an event enthusiastic runners within the WMCA really look forward to.
“Many members of Team WMCA will have a direct role in delivering the Commonwealth Games’ legacy and by entering our biggest number of runners so far are setting a really good example of the importance of physical activity on residents’ health and wellbeing.”
He added the team would channel the same passion Linda showed for the region’s net zero cause into its fund-raising to help make a big contribution to the fantastic support Macmillan provided to those diagnosed with cancer across the West Midlands.
Elaine Wilson, Macmillan Cancer Support’s head of partnerships for the Midlands, said Macmillan professionals were working tirelessly across the West Midlands to support people to deal with whatever cancer throws their way.
“But we can’t do it on our own and we need help to be there for everyone who needs us.
“We rely almost entirely on public donations to make a difference.”
She added the run formed part of the exciting work with WMCA staff to reach even more people in the West Midlands affected by cancer.
“We are incredibly grateful for the fund-raising support the team from the combined authority is offering us throughout the year.
“We wish all the runners luck during their run on May 7.”
Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/wmca1 for more and to donate in memory of Linda Forbes and go to macmillan.org.uk for further details on Macmillan Cancer Support.
