Reepham Runners raise funds for local charities

In December 2016 Becky Arthurton died prematurely from cancer, leaving her family and friends devastated. Although Nick Bowden, a member of Reepham Runners, did not know Ms Arthurton personally, her story touched him and, as he knew her partner Owen Adcock he felt moved to do something to mark her life.
 

Owen Adcock giving a cheque for £700 to Mavis Thomson on behalf of Priscilla Bacon Lodge, with Nick Bowden (right) and Steve Plackett (left) representing Reepham Runners. Image: supplied

 
Mr Bowden and some friends had planned to run across Scotland, from Inverness to the Isle of Sky, in August 2017. This was with no support, with the runners carrying everything they needed with them and staying in B&Bs each night.
 
They decided to have the run sponsored and, as suggested by Mr Adcock, to raise money for the Priscilla Bacon Lodge, where Ms Arthurton had died. As part of this a pot was put on the bar in the King’s Arms, Reepham, for donations.
 
Each year on behalf of Reepham Runners, Mr Bowden organises a charity Cross Country Run from Whitwell & Reepham Station. This last took place on Sunday 14 January and attracted the biggest field ever, with the proceeds split between the Priscilla Bacon Lodge and the Nancy Oldfield Trust.
 
From the sponsorship for the run across Scotland and the cross country event a total of £700 was raised for the Priscilla Bacon Lodge.
 
A further £1,000 raised from the Cross Country Run was presented to the Nancy Oldfield Trust, which provides sailing and boating opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people who would not otherwise be able to get afloat on the Broads.
 
Mr Bowden thanked the clientele of the King’s Arms and Reepham Runners for all their support in helping achieve these amounts for the charities.
 
Reepham Runners is a local running club for all levels of ability, holding informal runs and structured training sessions. As well as the Cross Country Run it also organises a Summer 10k, which this year will take place on Friday 10 August. More details can be found on Reepham Runners website.
 

Left to right: Andy Hawes, Pippa Crosby, Steve Plackett, Phil Cooper, Andy Ritchings and Nick Bowden by Loch Ness, Scotland. (Sam Kingston was also with them, taking the photo.) Image: supplied

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