Purple Elephant, Frome's family support charity, is looking forward to a busy year ahead and turning to the local community, and beyond, to join them in having fun raising funds to help provide free and low-cost services all year round. 

They invite runners, would-be runners and those with New Year's resolutions to join them in taking part in the Bath Half Marathon in March.

After almost a decade as a CIC, Purple Elephant achieved formal Charity status in 2022, allowing it to continue to grow its vital offering, such as twice weekly pre-school Stay-and-Play sessions, Small Steps early-years parenting support, adult-child 1:1 Befriending, a Toy Library and multiple Holiday Activity sessions and fun events, with healthy meals provided by Fair Frome, offered to hundreds of children each school break, for referred families in need of support.

Reaching almost £3,900 with its new community fundraising activities last year, raised by local organisations' events, school Mufti days, workshops, Christmas Fairs and stalls at Lions Fete, the Independent Market, Carnival Fun Day and the Cheese Show, Purple Elephant is encouraging anyone with fundraising ideas and a sense of fun to take part in community events and have fun in 2024. 

To kick off the year, Purple Elephant has arranged for 10 paid-for Bath Half Marathon charity places offered for runners to take part in this popular event on 17 March. They invite you to apply for a place, even if you have never run before. 

As Sue Willis, leading fundraiser for Purple Elephant, told us "Last year we had people run for us for the first time in the Bath Half and one of them, Radek, dressed as an elephant for the day, had never done any running at all before!

"You don't have to be a great runner, you can walk some of the course too – you just have to be enthusiastic and willing to help us raise funds for some of Frome's most vulnerable families."

Already on their marks and signed up to run for Purple Elephant in the Bath Half are a police officer in their 50's entering for their very first time, a 30-something project manager who has already run two full marathons, a gaming enthusiast entering the race for a third time, a local Frome person who loves cycling but, apparently never runs because they 'hate' it but is making an exception for such a great cause! 

Purple Elephant volunteer, fantastic first-time runner of last year's event, Radek, is back on the team. And, fingers crossed, if you keep your eyes peeled on the day, you might even spot our favourite elephant friend out there on the route too!

Would-be runners, of all ages and from any town or city in the UK, who would like to join Team Purple Elephant and grab themselves a specially printed T-shirt, can apply or ask questions through the website. 

Anyone already independently signed up to run but keen to also raise money for the charity, is welcome to join Team Purple Elephant too, and can sign up for this option via the website.

Purple Elephant organisers would also be happy to hear from enthusiastic individuals and local organisations who do not want to run but are willing to plan and organise other fun, fundraising activities in support of the charity. Just get in touch.

Full details of sponsor requirements and joining information for the Bath Half Marathon on March 17th 2024 are on the website at www.PurpleElephant.org.uk_