Great West Run brings together charities, businesses and runners

On Sunday 18th October, hundreds of runners and spectators will flood to Exeter city centre to support the 31st annual Great West Run.

With local businesses and residents coming together to support those taking on the challenge, many local charities are benefiting from participants raising money for good causes. YMCA Exeter is one of those charities.

With a team already signed up to run, the charity – which provides supported housing for homeless young people across Exeter – is hoping that the participants will raise vital funds for their St. Davids Hill hostel.

“We are thrilled that runners are fundraising for us through the Great West Run again this year”, said Joy Taylor, staff member for YMCA Exeter. “It is always a fantastic day and we have absolute admiration for those who challenge themselves in order to help us support vulnerable, homeless young people”.

The Great West Run has always been an event which sees lots of local businesses get involved, and the YMCA Exeter team are continuing this trend for 2015, having partnered with Exminster Garage, who are sponsoring the charity runners.

The garage, who run special training sessions for women in car maintenance as well as look after all your motoring service needs, have sponsored the YMCA Exeter team for two years now. “At Exminster Garage, we believe in the power of community and think the work that YMCA Exeter do is really important”, said Jo from the company, “We are so pleased to be able to sponsor the runners and to be a part of the Great West Run again this year.”

David Holt is running the Great West Run for the first time this year.

David said: “I have been and watched the Great West Run before and the atmosphere is always brilliant. This year I wanted to challenge myself by running. To be able to raise money to help homeless young people the same age as me make it feel so worthwhile - I think everyone should give it a go!"

YMCA Exeter, sponsored by Exminster Garage, still have spaces on their Great West Run Team and would love to hear from you.

For more information about running the Great West Run for YMCA Exeter see www.ymcaexeter.org.uk/gwr or email events@ymcaexeter.org.uk.

To support local business Exminster Garage, and find out more about what they do, visit www.exminstergarage.co.uk

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