Warwick Athletics performs 24-hour Piazza run to raise money for charity

The Warwick Athletics & Cross Country Club (WUAXC) has completed a 24-hour run in the piazza, to raise money for the Coventry Food bank as a part of a charity week.

The 24-hour run was able to raise £650 for the charity within the first six hours, meeting nearly 90% of their £750 target

The 24-hour run took place in the piazza, with any student being able to pass by and donate to the charity. The run started at 10am on 18 February and was completed at 10am the following day, with 27 runners contributing to the charity event in the space of 24 hours.

Coventry Food Bank was the chosen charity, as elected by the members of WUAXC. The 24-hour run was able to raise £650 for the charity within the first six hours, meeting nearly 90% of their £750 target.

This Charity run makes me want to run again, it is also nice to watch people donate as I’m running

Theo, charity runner

Despite the weather reaching a near subzero temperature of 1℃, Warwick Athletics was determined to complete this challenge to achieve their objective of fundraising for the food bank

The Boar Sport interviewed a few of those involved during the Charity Run. Matthew, WUAXC Secretary, said: “People are most likely to donate to a charity they care about. We are also planning to elect a Charities Rep for next year to continue doing stuff like this (charity weeks).”

Theo, one of the runners for the charity run, said: “ This Charity run makes me want to run again. It’s also nice to watch people donate as I’m running and being a part of this team”

Matthew also emphasised how crucial it is to have a “charities-related role” in student societies as they can ensure all societies can be contributing.

We have easy runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays […] for all Warwick students […] we have a lot happening for anyone to partake in

Matthew, WUAXC Secretary

WUAXC decided to abstain from using an electric treadmill and opted for a Springbok manual version of the equipment, to ensure that the charity run remains environmentally friendly as springboks do not require any electricity to be powered. Warwick Athletics was able to exceed the fundraising target by the end of the 24-hour challenge, raising £764.50 for Coventry Food Bank.

The Charity week hosted by WUAXC also included a charity circle on Wednesday 19 February, nine hours after the run was completed. The Charity Circle provided an opportunity to make sure students could have a great time together whilst also fundraising for charity.

WUAXC hosts runs on Tuesdays for beginners that wish to start running. Matthew also confirmed that any Warwick student can participate: “Definitely, we have easy runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, outside the Sports Hub, for all Warwick students. We also have runs every Monday, so we do have a lot happening for anyone to partake in.”