PEOPLE will be lacing up their trainers tomorrow to raise vital funds for elderly people across the country.

They will descend on Southampton Common to take part in Age UK’s Wrap Up and Run 10k.

The Echo-backed event, which will be started by Hampshire gardening queen Charlie Dimmock, is being hosted in the city for the first time as part of the charity’s Spread the Warmth campaign.

It comes after temperatures plummeted below zero this week, with snow, ice and bone-chilling winds taking an icy grip on the county.

Among those taking part will be staff at a Southampton care home, who know better than most how difficult it can be for older people to survive winter.

A group of 12 employees at Peartree House, in Bitterne, who provide care and rehabilitation for people of all ages with complex needs resulting from brain injuries, hope to raise £5,000 by competing in the event.

Remi Katsande, general manager at Peartree House, said: “We always do a lot of sponsored events for good causes but what really excited us about this one was both the challenge and the cause.

“As an organisation, we feel we have a lot to offer to older people, so any charity that supports the elderly is in our minds all the time.

“We hear about older people having to make decisions about whether they come here more often or whether they use their finances to cover other expenses like heating bills. That shouldn’t need to be the case.

“The money raised from this run will help people in that situation.”

To sponsor the Peartree House team, visit justgiving.com/peartree.

Runners can still register to take part in the run on the day. Simply turn up to the Common ahead of the 10am start time and speak to organisers from Age UK.
 

The event costs £16 to enter and is open to anyone who would like to run, jog or walk the route. Chip timing will be available for all runners.

For more information email 10k@ageuk.org.uk or call 0800 169 8787.