While many Contact the Elderly volunteers and older guests were enjoying their monthly dose of tea, chatter and laughter last Sunday, 16,000 people took to the streets of London’s Westminster to run the British 10K. This included our very own team of 10 noble runners (seven pictured).

It was an early start for some of the Contact the Elderly team, which consisted of volunteers, staff and friends of the charity, many of whom travelled in from outside London for the 8.15am meet in the National Office.

Everyone looked the part as they wandered down to the busy starting point at Wellington Arch dressed in the branded T-shirts, supplied by official sponsors Nike+, with their high-tech timing strip secured to their running shoes to log their progress at each kilometre.

The crowd moved slowly down to the start line, but with a uniting rendition of the National Anthem and a motivational live song from Heather Small – who performed from the top of an open air London bus – the time flew and before long everyone was on their way.

The race route led the army of runners past some iconic London sights along Whitehall, Victoria Embankment, over Westminster Bridge and round Parliament Square before finishing at Trafalgar square. There is no denying that the weather could have been better but the heavy rain was brief and the support from the crowds all along the 10k route made for a buzzing atmosphere despite the drizzle.

Our fantastic team made it round in good time, and most importantly had lots of fun in the process, raising nearly £3,000 for Contact the Elderly to support our existing groups and help start new ones. This means the charity can extend its vital lifeline to more isolated older people across England, Scotland and Wales. Thanks to everyone who took part in the British 10K and to everyone who sponsored them!

If you would like to raise money for Contact the Elderly by taking part in a sponsored event, or you would like more information about fundraising in general, please click here to contact our Fundraising Manager Debra Bollan.