A mass relay fundraiser in Manchester is taking place over 24 hours to raise money for homelessness.
The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness is taking place from 12pm on 13 November to 12pm the following day.
Proceeds raised will go to A Bed Every Night, a charity set up by Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham.
Waves of runners and walkers complete five kilometre laps through Manchester city centre, St Peter’s Square and the University of Manchester campus.
Over 300 people ran in the first three hours, according to volunteers at Freight Island where the event is based.
Set up in 2019 by the University of Manchester’s running group Run Wild MCR, the relay has gained widespread popularity.
The fundraiser could double the total raised in the last five years, CEO of Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity Fran Darlington-Pollock says.
Almost £20,000 was raised in the first six hours of the run, well on track to surpass the initial £30,000 target, which has now been raised to £50,000.
Over 70 organisations are taking part and Together Money will match all public donations up to £20,000.
The revised donation target of £50,000 would accommodate 1,666 people who are sleeping rough as one bed costs £30 a night.
Manchester has the UK’s third highest number of rough sleepers per capita, according to Manchester Homelessness Partnership.
Darlington-Pollock said: “A Bed Every Night has supported nearly 2,000 people so far this year and currently there are close to 600 people accommodated, who might otherwise face a night on the streets.”
Volunteer lead organiser Thomas Lewis said: “We chose the Mayor’s charity when we began to see more and more people rough sleeping and we wanted to help out locally.”
One runner, Steven Lenihan, intends to reach 100 kilometres on only a couple hours of sleep.
Another runner said she came back to Manchester specifically for this fundraiser and has tried to join every year.
Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham also made a surprise visit to show his support.
Responding to the enthusiasm, Darlington-Pollock said: “The people of Greater Manchester continue to blow me away.
“Not only have the founders of this incredible event returned once more to support A Bed Every Night through the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, people have come out in force to run and donate!
“Together, we really can end homelessness.”
If you are sleeping rough or you have seen someone sleeping rough in Manchester please contact Manchester City Council homelessness.
Featured image: Sumaiya Motara
