In late 2023 our small TH96 Committee met to discuss arrangements for the annual TH96 run and asked people to save the date of 16th March 2024.
16th March arrived and on a bright and sunny day 230 people took part in the TH96 run which is a 9-mile route setting off and finishing at Heywood Cricket Club. Due to the date of the run coinciding with St Patricks Day weekend the colour green was chosen for the colour of the T-shirts and displayed the name of our valuable sponsors and CRY logo on the back with TH96 on the front. Under the guidance of Will Purser Cassie provided the start line with a display of red and white balloons.
As well as a number of entrants running some took a more leisurely approach and walked the dog or pushed the little one in their pram or walked with friends, children, and grandchildren. Our volunteers positioned themselves along the route to encourage and ensure that everyone was kept safe and followed the correct route.
DJ Geoff got everyone in the mood with a warmup and played lot of tunes to entertain both runners and the sizeable crowd that had come out to cheer their loved ones on. The start was fantastic thanks to Fara who transferred her abundance of energy simley face and enthusiasm to everyone.
The more experienced runners were positioned at the front and the fastest male was a close fought race at the end with seconds between first and second. There was more of a gap between the first and second fastest female with experience showing. Julienne was on hand to take photographs before the start and everyone going over the finishing line. Along the route our volunteers captured the atmosphere too as well as offering words of encouragement and cheering them on. Ryan was on hand to register times at the end of that we had a record of the fastest male and female. Back at Heywood CC everyone who took part or marshalled was treated to a hot dog or sandwich kindly provided by WM Morrisons. The sunshine had certainly helped to make the day a huge success and get everyone in the mood for the evening event. A massive thank you to James Clayton, Leisure Club Manager the The Village Bury for arranging for everyone who took part or supported on the day to recieve a free 7-day pass as well as a number of raffle prizes, free memberships, and overnight stay.
James was brilliant throughout and it turned out that he had atteneted the same school as Tom, although Tom was a few years older, so it was lovely there was a connection.
As well as donations from The Village we recieved a number of gereous donations including golf days, overnight stays, beauty treatments, hampers etc. Our most geneous donation organised by Ryan on behalf of Together Money was awarded to the person who raised the most money which went to Chris Hardy who raised over £1,300. The prize was 4 tickets to watch the Eagles in a hospitality box on 31st May 2024 at the new Co Op Arena and he is absolutely buzzing.
The evening event took place at Rochdale Football Club and the room was kindly donated free of charge and was full to capacity. Entertainment was provided by DJ Geoff and an Irish duo . .It was a fun packed night with prizes presented to the fastest female, male and most money raised.
All in all, a truly amazing day and evening, we are so blessed as a family that we have such amazing people in our lives that offer their support time and time again to raise money for CRY .in memory of Tom.
Over £10,000 was raised by online donations and monies handed in on the day which will go towards a further screening scheduled in august 2024 and hopefully the purchase of necessary equipment.”