Get set for local Sport Relief events

The three-day national charity fundraiser, which starts today (Friday) and finishes on Sunday, aims to help people living tough lives in the UK and the world’s poorest countries.
In Kingsclere, on Sunday (March 25) the Balding family are hosting a fun packed, Sainsbury Sport Relief Mile on Watership Down, just outside Kingsclere.
The family, who own Park House stables in Kingsclere, are well known in the world of horse racing, including famous racehorse trainers, Ian Balding and his son, Andrew Balding.
Andrew’s wife, Anna Lisa Balding, said: “We are trying to get as many people to come and run as possible - runners don't need to get any sponsorship and it won't take much of their time.
“All the money raised by the public goes towards changing the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged people here in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries.”
Andrew Balding’s sister, the sports presenter and journalist, Clare Balding, is to open the one mile run by being the first competitor to run through 'starting stalls.’
To register to take part in the run, visit www.sportrelief.com/themile, or register on the day. Cost £6 per adult, £3 per child, £15 per family of four. The run will take place from 11am to 2pm, with signposts from the village and on the downs.
Schools involved in the fundraiser include Trinity School, Shaw, with events organised each day this week and the Hermitage-based family business, G.R. Swimming Schools, organised two swimathons to raise funds, one of which was held at Mary Hare School, Newbury, on Monday (March 19) and children swam as far as possible in half an hour. So far the swimming school has raised over £5,000 for Sport Relief.
Among those making a splash was Hermitage primary school pupil, Sam Marriott, who aimed to swim a mile with a target of £300, by swimming 64 lengths. “He ended up raising over £800 and swam 72 lengths,” said his father Andy Marriott.
Reading West MP, Alok Sharma, (Con), ran a mile for Sport Relief last Friday (March 16) after being invited to run with Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King at the Calcot store.
Mr King was also at Tadley’s branch of Sainsbury’s last Friday (March 16) to run with staff member, Andy Chapman, with two days of fundraising in store activities lined up for Friday and Saturday (March 24/25) including a Just Dance competition and rowing contest in the foyer.
On Sunday (March 25) staff will join a Sport Relief Mile, where participants can walk, jog, hop or skip a mile, starting from the Hurst Leisure Centre in Baughurst, with a six mile race at 9am, followed by a three mile and one mile race, with a bouncy castle available for children and refreshments. Register beforehand on the Sports Relief website, or telephone the leisure centre for more information.
For more information about Sport Relief, visit WWW.sportrelief.com.
If you are taking part or organising a Sport Relief event locally, let us know by telephoning Jane Meredith on (01635) 564537, or emailing details and photographs to: jane.meredith@newburynews.co.uk