Over forty people, of Christian, Muslim and other faith backgrounds gathered together in our local Birchfields Park on Sunday at 1pm to have a short fun run to draw attention to the wonderful work Mary’s Meals do for children in need of education and food in our world. It was a short and simple event yet wonderfully uniting and enriching.
We had a lovely age range of people present – from those over sixty to those not yet of school age. We had keen runners, those willing to try to run, those who preferred to walk, and youngsters who went the 1 or 2km in pushchairs. Dog walkers also joined in. We also had those who preferred to support by watching and cheering.
It was so pleasing to have Muslim and Christian people of our community meeting is such a friendly and welcoming way, to support, together, this splendid charity.
St John’s School and St Chrysostom’s Church were particularly well represented and there was a wonderful sense of togetherness, fun and enjoyment. The children were real treasures, many, if not all, putting heart and soul into the running.
There were, of course, no winners and no loosers, but we should give a special mention of Tayo, church member and Chair of Governors of the schools’ federation, who with Anne, Parish Assistant beside her, ran with enthusiasm and joy leading for most of the way – and we must mention Annie (aged 6) who was on her third such run and who raised over £100 in sponsorship.
So often our world seems troubled, anxious and divided. Small events such as this are so inspiring in offering a totally different picture – people of all kinds and ages coming together and enjoying working to help others.
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