Run Reigate 2021 – back as one!

We’ll be adjusting the counter in the coming days and weeks as more money comes in, but what an amazing effort. We are so pleased with what has been achieved at one of our key fundraising events of the year. As well as the obvious benefit of raising much needed funds, it also gives us the opportunity to raise our profile in the local community.

Running their stork socks off

We are so grateful to the 66 runners (42 adults and 24 kids) who ran for Stripey Stork. We were lucky that the forecasted rain stayed away for almost all of the races with only some of our youngest Team Stork runners having to brave the showers.  Our runners had one goal in mind, to make it to the finishing line and deliver on their promise to their sponsors and us. We’re pleased to say that every single one of them did it, so a massive high five from Stripey!

Half marathon entrants – thanks to Phil & Nikolaos.

10k entrants – thanks to Claire, Dave,  Simon, Sue F, Paul, Ursula, Sam, Jackie, Emma, Eloise, Sally, Ruth, Anna, Chris, Neil, Holly, Lucy, Hazel, Chloe, Esther, John, Sue P, Catherine & Martin.

5k entrants – thanks to Megan, Daisy, Luke, Tess, Kate, Dylan, Lynn, Anna, Scarlett, Coedy, Teddy, Nicola, Stuart, Debbie, Jean & Jacki

Kid’s race – thanks to Milo, Max, Kai, Sophie, Lexi, Bethany, Ava-May, Reece, Saoirse, Oscar, Sophie, Joseph, William, Charlie, Efa, Zach, Ben, Thea, Rex, Holly, Madeleine, Phoebe, Henry & Molly Rose

A splash of orange – everywhere

Our aim is always to turn Priory Park a little bit orange and this year was no exception.

Sam and Jackie outshone themselves yet again (not an easy accomplishment after their previous year’s outfits). Every year we look forward to their creations, and every year they deliver. They were the brightest, Super Hero-iest duo there, and we are so lucky to have them on our team.

Run Reigate wouldn’t be the same without our little stork mascot and this year it was Lexi’s turn to wear the costume made by our talented Treasurer, Jenny.  Lexi is one of our young ambassadors and was the envy of many in her costume as she fluffed her feathers around the park.

We were grateful to our supporter Paul Collier, not only did he run the 10K dressed as a pink flamingo he also took up the Stripey media mantle and was interviewed on BBC Radio Surrey by the one and only Chris Jarvis. His fundraising brought in over £760 for Stripey Stork.

The Reigate Hill Golf Club posing triumphantly – Kate winning the fastest lady in her category. Well done all! 

Stripey family, friends and volunteers all got involved – what a smashing effort!

Thanks to the ladies from Reigate Heath Golf Club here with our Nicola – fantastic fundraising from you all!

Thanks to the fabulous team at Osborne, post race with their medals.

Stripey’s stall – a hive of activity

With our flock of orange volunteers and gazebo, we couldn’t be missed in the race village as our runners came flooding in and joined us on our stall. There were lots of photo opportunities to be had at out podium. It became a meeting point for many, and it was lovely to have the opportunity to say hello to familiar faces and introduce ourselves to some new ones.

After our runners had caught their breath, we rewarded them with a Stripey Stork certificate and gift bag full of goodies as a gesture of appreciation.  These bags were packed for us by students from Reigate Grammar school who volunteered their time as part of their Stripey Stork elective.

Our friends at Bear Snacks supplied yummy giant yoyos for our junior TeamStork runners -They also supplied 1200 packs of Bear Paws which we were able to give out at the finish line of the Kids Race.  As well as being in keeping with the events’ no plastic ethos, they went down a treat!  

Our powerhouse of volunteers

Last but never least, our lovely and hardworking bunch of volunteers who gave up their time for us, whether that was manning the stall, taking payments at one of our car parks or helping behind the scenes in preparation for, or after, the event.

Thanks to our volunteers:

Ann, Nicola, Jenny, Caitlin, Rowena, Emma, Claire, Jacqui, Debbie, Sophie, Jacqui, Pat, Sonya, Laura, Jo, Sophie J, Sophie P, Andrea, Mike, Lexi, & Ada. 

This blog would not be complete without a special mention to a very special person, Donna, our Partnerships Manager. She project managed the whole event for Stripey Stork and did an amazing job we’re sure you’ll agree.

Special shout-outs

We have tremendous support from local businesses at Stripey Stork, and Run Reigate is no exception. A special thanks goes to:

• The Belfry for sponsoring our Junior Runners.

• Andrews Estate Agents for partnering with us on the kids race and donating funds raised from their stall.

• Morrisons Solicitors for donating their stalls fundraising proceeds (£72) to Stripey Stork and Mike for doing a stint at the Stripey car park.

Goody Bags:

• Puzzler for the puzzle books and magazines which were used in our runner’s goody bags (both adults and children).

• Nestle for donating KitKats for our adult runners and volunteers.

• The team from LNRS who helped on one of their corporate volunteering days to pack some of the goody bags in preparation for race day.  

• Students at Reigate Grammar School who packed the remaining goody bags.

• The Soapy Zebra  for creating lovely bath salts and soaps for our runner goody bags.

• Sam Chapman for writing the Thank you certificates.

• Toy Barnhaus for contributing to our runners competition voucher. 

And of course, to the fabulous team at Run Reigate who pulled yet another blinder. Special thanks to Lisa, Karen, Nicola and Dave for working in partnership with us again – we can’t wait for Run Reigate 2022.

Run Reigate 2022 anyone?

We’ll let you catch your breath of course, but if you’re interested in signing up for one of next year’s races you can do so here. Or, send an email to events@stripeystork.org.uk to express your interest in joining Team Stork – we’d love to have you on board.

*Total includes all money raised in on/offline donations (after gift aid but before fees), collection buckets, and car park donations, minus associated event costs.