People from across the capital’s communities are uniting for a good cause as the London Interfaith Fun Run returns this summer. The event will bring together people from all backgrounds and beliefs to enjoy a day of sports, fundraising for important causes, and intercultural activities and entertainment on Bank Holiday Monday 29th August at StoneX Stadium in Barnet.
At a time when headlines of social divisions and tensions tend to dominate the news, the Interfaith Fun Run shows that our diverse communities can work together and be a positive force for good.
Organised by the Faith & Belief Forum and Maccabi GB and supported by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London’s Council on Faith, the Fun Run involves a wide range of charities doing important work across the UK. Runners taking part can choose to support one of 50 causes, ranging from local groups supporting people in their communities, to national charities, faith groups and interfaith organisations. (A list of participating charities is available here.)
This year, five media organisations from different communities have also joined to support the event: Church Times, Eastern Eye/Asian Media Group, Jewish News, Sikh Channel, and Voice of Islam Radio.
The Fun Run offers options of a 10km, 5km or 1km to walk, run or jog, as well as the Tri-Run which includes all three distances.
There is also a buzzing festival area with performances from a diverse range of faith and belief groups, interfaith encounters, activities for families and young people, food stalls and a picnic area, and more.
David Dangoor CBE, chair of Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London’s Council on Faith, who initiated the Fun Run project, said: “The Interfaith Fun Run is an opportunity for Londoners, whatever their ethnic group or faith, to come together and send a message of unity and friendship. It clearly shows the enormous amount of good this city’s diverse communities and cultures can do when we all work together.”
The inaugural event last summer saw over 500 attendees, 250 runners and thousands of pounds generated for 35 charities.
Runners can sign up now at interfaithrun.org
For additional information or for interviews with the charities involved, contact [email protected]
A video of highlights from last year can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVhjeuPUPUM
