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A charity which supports vulnerable families is set to benefit from the generosity of thousands of runners later this year.

Home-Start Cambridge & District supports families who may be struggling to cope with a variety of issues including postnatal illness, multiple births, disability, family breakdown or bereavement; they may feel isolated and unable to connect with their local community.

The charity is one of two who will receive money raised through this year’s Chariots of Fire charity relay race, which will take place on Sunday 19 September. Half of the funds will go to Wallace Cancer Care.

Domestic violence, drug and alcohol related issues may make it difficult for families to engage with social services but by engaging with families at an early stage as difficulties begin to emerge, Home-Start support can prevent issues developing into more serious problems.

Home-Start Cambridge & District’s share of sponsorship will be used to expand its services. The charity currently has 48 home visiting volunteers who visit local families on a weekly basis to offer friendship and support.

The charity’s fundraising trustee, Victoria Seabright, said: “We are so pleased to have been selected as one of the Chariots of Fire charities – it will give us a vital boost to our fundraising efforts. Requests for our services are currently outstripped by demand. Each year we train more volunteers to support local families and in an environment where statutory funding is under such pressure we welcome such a fantastic opportunity to boost our fundraising efforts and expand our capacity. Our Chariots team are the ‘The False Starts’ consisting of our scheme manager; Rita Levitt and her daughter, Nina; Helen and Iona, two of our volunteers; and James Ramsden and Colin Hulett, two of our supporters. They are already in training. I’m sure they will perform fantastically on the day.”

Charles Hewitson, Race Director and Senior Partner at Hewitsons, said: “The money raised by the event will be a huge boost for both charities and provide essential funding for them. Every team’s sponsorship money will make a crucial difference to those who depend upon these charities for support.”

Chariots of Fire takes place on Sunday 19 September, on Queens’ Green in Cambridge. Teams are made up of 6 members of varying categories, who run the course in relay format.

Team can register online now here.

A thriving local charity, established just six years ago, is set to benefit from the generosity of thousands of runners later this year.

Wallace Cancer Care works to ease the suffering and distress caused by cancer to patients, their families and carers from the initial diagnosis, throughout treatment, and when lives need to be put back together once treatment is over.

The charity is one of two who will receive money raised through this year’s Chariots of Fire charity relay race, which will take place on Sunday 19 September. Half of the funds will also go to Home-Start, Cambridge and District.

Wallace Cancer Care’s share of sponsorship will be used to expand its services. The charity runs two full-time drop-in centres that support cancer patients, an Information Centre in the main concourse of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, staffed by former Oncology nurses and specially trained volunteers, and a larger Complementary Care Centre in a house a short walk from the Oncology Department in Red Cross Lane.

The charity’s fundraising manager, Kirsty Keegan, said: “Our two centres provide a warm and welcoming space where support and attention to the practical and psychological needs of cancer patients and those who care for them are provided. We are so pleased to have been selected as one of the Chariots of Fire charities – it will give us a vital boost to our fundraising efforts.

Our very special Chariots team are the ‘Wallace Wanderers’ consisting of 2 husband and wife teams; Ian & Sarah Hinson and Tim & Natalie Quinnell as well as the son of one of our founding trustees Oliver Pugh.  We also have a special guest runner who we are keeping under wraps for the moment!  They have yet to all meet but are very keen runners and are already in training.  They will (I’m sure) give the other Chariots’ teams a run for their money when it comes to race day!”

Chariots of Fire Race Director, Charles Hewitson, senior partner at law firm Hewitsons says: “Wallace Cancer Care is a fantastic charity which provides an invaluable service to those affected by cancer. We are very pleased to be helping the work they do and make sure more people have access to the facility. Chariots of Fire is a great opportunity for local organisations and college members to join together for a great cause, whilst getting fit in the process. For those who don’t want to run in the race, it is also a great fun day out to come along and cheer the teams along.”

Chariots of Fire takes place on Sunday 19 September, on Queens’ Green in Cambridge. Teams are made up of 6 members of varying categories, who run the course in relay format.

Team can register online at www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk