Thank You
The Race Organisers would like to thank everyone who took part in the inaugural ASDA Foundation West Cumbrian Run in Memory of Bill Barker. The event was a huge success with nearly 600 people registering to take part.
We hope this will be the first of many West Cumbrian Runs.
If you have the running bug then why not keep the training going and take part in the Carlisle 10k Run on Sunday August 29th or the New Balance English Half Marathon taking place on Sunday 3rd October. Both races are open for entry via our online entry partner, Q-buster at their website www.q-buster.co.uk.
Well done to everyone…
Times & Star Coverage
The Times & Star have published an article, photographs and video of the inaugural race. This can be seen here on the Times & Star website. Enjoy.
Post Race Survey
Now that the event is over, we’re inviting you to take part in our survey. The information we collect will help us evaluate the event. We will use this to reinforce any strengths and identify and address any weaknesses, all contributing to a better event in 2011. Go to Post Race Survey and complete the online questionnaire. The survey will only take 2 to 3 minutes of your time to complete.
Sponsorship Monies
All sponsorship monies should be returned to the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA). Your race packs should have contained sponsorship forms which featured your fund raising number which identifies you to the GNAA.
Mandy Drake, the Fundraising Manager at GNAA can be contacted at: Fundraising Manager, Great North Air Ambulance Service, Head Office, Northumberland Wing, The Imperial Centre, Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NQ. Telephone: 01325 487 263.
Race Photos
The official photos of race finishers have now been posted by the photography company that were at the inaugural running of the West Cumbrian Run, MyBibNumber.
You can see the photos MyBibNumber have taken on the Race Gallery on the MyBibNumber website.
Race Results & Timing Chip Return
Our chip timing service provider, Winning Time supplied by Interloq, have released the results of todays race via their website. To see the race results please visit: http://www.winningtimeuk.com/index.php?page=results&event=106.
If you had to withdraw part way through the course, or finished but walked away from the finish with your timing chip, please can we ask that you arrange to return the timing chip to the following address otherwise we are liable for a charge to replace the lost chip. The chip should be returned to: Winning Time UK, c/o Interloq Limited, 10-B Cairneyhill Road, Crossford, Dunfermline, FIFE, KY12 8NZ. Thank you.
Tribute to Bill Barker
On Friday 20th November 2009 our whole world fell apart NEVER to be the same again when Bill, my darling husband, the devoted father to our children, my best friend and my FOREVER friend, was so suddenly and tragically taken away from us forever. I am extremely honoured and privileged to have shared in the life of such a brave, dedicated, caring and wonderful man who, over and over again, made us so very, very proud.
On behalf of Simon, Melissa, Daniel and Emma Louise, please accept our very humbled thanks to EVERYONE involved in this AMAZING venture in memory of Bill. Words cannot express how much we appreciate your support but please know that we, as a family, feel very humbled at this wonderful act of generosity.
One of the many aspects to Bill’s life was that of a Traffic Officer on the RPU Division, Cumbria Police Constabulary. It was during this role that Bill, sadly, on many occasions, had to call on the services of The Great North Air Ambulance ‘Pride of Cumbria’, a charity Bill was extremely passionate about, when attending RTA’s on the Cumbrian Roads. In many cases GNNA’s role meant the difference between ‘life or death’; It was for this reason and the fact that GNNA was not government funded, not even in part, that Bill, at every opportunity in his determination to ‘make a difference’, supported, in whatever way possible, what he made, ‘his charity’. Therefore, please know, there could be no better tribute to Bill than that of supporting these truly amazing people, without whom, because of our geographical location, among other things, many more lives’s would be lost.
Great North Air Ambulance Service
The Great North Air Ambulance are delighted to be chosen as the charity of the year for the West Cumbrian Run in memory of one of our greatest supporters: Bill Barker. Who, throughout his brave courageous life took it upon himself to raise funds on our behalf. He was amazed to discover the total cost of this life saving service is £3.5 million a year. We do not receive any government or lottery funding and rely solely on public donations.
We are currently running a campaign to raise funds for new updated helicopters which as you can imagine is a massive feat, but one that we feel with the continued support is very much achievable. The Great North Air Ambulance cannot believe the public’s determination and generosity to help keep this vital service running.
Our new campaign involves getting as many people as we can to raise funds while getting fit and healthy so the West Cumbrian Run is officially the first event and hopefully the first of many and we would encourage as many people to get involved and just try their very best to raise funds whilst getting fit and having fun no matter what age.
The Great North Air Ambulance would also like to thank Bill Barkers family and friends for their continued support at such a tragic time. We really appreciate all of your efforts.
Message from Cumbria County Council
It is important that we should never forget the devastation that occurred in parts of Cumbria and the massive effect it had on communities in places like Cockermouth, Workington, Keswick and further afield too. This 10-mile race in tribute to PC Bill Barker is a fitting way to honour his memory, but also to show the outside world the resilience of the Cumbrian people. I hope that as many people as possible enter this race and enjoy themselves on the day, as money raised is going to a worthy cause in the form of the Great North Air Ambulance Service. More importantly the race will send a clear message to everyone that Cumbria is back on its feet and open for business.
Cllr Tony Markley
Cabinet Member for Economy and Highways, Cumbria County Council
The Organisers
The event is organised by Big-Q Events Ltd, a joint venture between GB Event Management Ltd and Interloq Ltd. Together the companies have over 25 years experience managing a wide range of regional, national and international class events.
