Sponsor boosts charitable donations from marathon

Janine Leadbeater, Head of Marketing, Berkeley Homes pictured with Chris Simpson (vice Chairman) left and Vernon Jennings, (Chairman and Race Director) right, at the launch of Berkeleys sponsorship of the Barns Green Half Marathon on the village green

The house builder will be working with the race organisers to develop the event and attract even more runners to what has become one of the most popular half marathons in the south of England.

Berkeley is preparing to start work building a brand new school in Barns Green as well as a new development of 69 homes.

The Barns Green Half Marathon race route goes passed both the school site and the housing development site on 3 occasions over the 13 mile course adding two significant new landmarks to the race.

Commenting on the sponsorship tie up, Andrew McPhillips, Land and Planning Director, Berkeley, said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with the Barns Green Half Marathon.

“The race has a great reputation and we have enjoyed a very close and successful working relationship with the local residents over the past few years.

“Our involvement with Barns Green’s biggest single event will hopefully further strengthen our links with the village and a strong community that we have grown to know so well and become very fond of”.

The Chairman of the Barns Green Half Marathon Committee, Vernon Jennings commented: “It is wonderful to have Berkeley Homes support our race.

“We are extremely proud of what the race has been able to achieve and each year the event gets bigger with more runners, and spectators.

“Our charity this year is Chestnut Tree House, the only children’s hospice in Sussex,” he added. “Because of the involvement of Berkeley Homes, we will be able to allocate even more funds to our chosen charities as well as the various local and junior organisations that do so much to improve village life for everyone”.

This year’s Barns Green Half Marathon will be the 31st in the events history and takes place on Sunday September 29 at 11am.

Once again over 1800 runners are expected to take part in what is the largest sports participation event in the area.

The race will be officially started by Wasps and England rugby star Joe Launchbury who was a pupil at Christ’s Hospital School.

Visit www.barnsgreen-half.org.uk for more information.