Slideshow: Fundraisers run in Race with Rowan

Youngsters from Ditcham Park School warm up at the

Race for Rowan

Picture: Allan Hutchings (160376-338) — Youngsters from Ditcham Park School warm up at the Race for Rowan Picture: Allan Hutchings (160376-338)

Family, friends and co-workers rallied together to run in the Race with Rowan.

Starting and finishing at Portsmouth Watersports Centre, teams either took up a 5k or 10k challenge.

Many turned up in colourful racing gear in an effort to stand out and have some fun.

And in the end thousands of pounds were raised for The Rowans Hospice in Purbrook. The final amount will be released in the coming days.

Sharon ‘Shazza’ Thomas and her friends Elizabeth Shaw and Autumn Thorpe were also racing to support Myeloma UK as Sharon’s husband has had the cancer condition and is now in remission.

Sharon, of Hayling Island, said: ‘This kind of events show everyone what a fight people are going through and what these charities do.

‘They’re absolutely brilliant, and so are the volunteers – we couldn’t do it without them.’

Angela Agate (in red) warming up (160376-003)

A group of nine workers from AngioDynamics Inc in Denmead, which provides medical devices to help treat cancer, got involved.

Company director Tim Lamb said: ‘We are based in Denmead so The Rowans is just around the corner from us.

‘Some of the people who work for us, their families have been impacted and made use of The Rowans.

‘We want to do what we can to support the charity.

Sharon Thomas, Autumn Thorpe and Elizabeth Shaw

‘It’s important we give something back to the community.’

Employees from Portsmouth building and maintenance service Mountjoy couldn’t wait to take part.

Tracy Welch, the company’s bid director, said the firm chose to support The Rowans as Peter Ward, husband of her friend Polly Ward, was cared for by the hospice until his death in March last year.

Tracy said: ‘Polly is one of my dearest friends, so when we did a poll at work and asked people nominate their chosen charity so Mountjoy could sponsor them, I chose The Rowans.

The start of the 5km Race with Rowan charity fun run

Pictures: Allan Hutchings (160376-387) — The start of the 5km Race with Rowan charity fun run Pictures: Allan Hutchings (160376-387)

‘There were a few people who nominated different charities, but they picked mine because it was close to me.’

Councillor Frank Jonas, the Lord Mayor of  Portsmouth, set the runners off.

He said: ‘The Rowans is so important because of what it does.’

Amanda Mahoney, of The Rowans, said: ‘Events like this are crucial in raising money for the hospice.’