The Sunshine Fund has been buzzing with activity as it prepares for its upcoming summer events. Last Friday, the team spent a sunny day in Ponteland Park, scouting the location for the much-loved Duck Race, which has now been handed over to the charity. Former Rotary Club member John Cooper joined them for a recce, followed by an afternoon of counting ducks.
The Duck Race is scheduled for Sunday, September 6, 2026, and the Sunshine Fund is excited to engage with the Ponteland community and spread cheer. Behind the scenes, the team has been busy packaging race packs for the Sunshine Run, with over 350 parcels ready to go out to runners and local businesses just three weeks before the big day.
Each runner will receive a Sunshine Run t-shirt to wear on the day, a race number with a timing chip, a luggage tag for the free storage bus donated by Stagecoach, and a welcome letter. The letter includes important information and details of the £23 challenge, which encourages additional fundraising to support the charity's mission.
The Sunshine Run does not require additional fundraising, but it is welcomed and appreciated. Due to additional costs from Tyne Bridge works requiring road closures, less of the proceeds can be used to deliver equipment to families. If every runner raises just £23 for the charity's 23rd year, an extra £8,000 could be raised to support disabled children in the region.
The £23 challenge was inspired by local firm Winn Solicitors, one of 17 corporate teams taking part, with 34 employees running. Staff from Winn Group are taking on their own fundraising challenge, each runner raising at least £20, totalling over £600. Ross Jackson, deputy CSR lead at Winn Group, said: "The Sunshine Run is a rock-solid annual tradition in our CSR calendar and is always looked forward to by our staff. One of the most popular events we take part in, it's accessible to all fitness levels with a great focus on enjoying the event. We're proud to support the Sunshine Fund in their outstanding work and will always seek to enter one of the biggest corporate teams into the race! See you on the start line!"
Proceeds from fundraising events fund specialist equipment that families cannot access on the NHS, transforming the daily lives of Sunshine Kids. As a small charity that does not receive statutory funding, every penny raised is vital. Equipment ranges from iPads to all-terrain wheelchairs, sensory bundles to mobile hoists, car seats to climbing frames, trikes to adapted seats, and more.
Donations to the Sunshine Run campaign can be made via JustGiving. The Sunshine Fund thanks readers for their support and looks forward to announcing more events soon.
