The Fun Run was a great success with 112 parishioners and friends leaving the start line after an entertaining warm up routine provided by instructor Sarah Prifti and caller Sue David.  At about 20 minutes into the event, the runners, walkers and riders were drenched by a heavy shower lasting 5 minutes or so.  By now the walkers had already met most of the keen young runners coming in the other direction.  Paul Haylock was the fastest adult crossing the finishing line in 23 mins 56 secs.  He was followed by 8 year old James D'Silva in 25 mins 6 secs.  Coming in 12^th position was 9 year old Olivia Wright, the fastest girl in 29 mins 45 secs.  What remarkable runs for the young winners of the children’s section.  The last person to cross the line came in after 72 minutes, by which time Petts Wood was drenched in sunshine once again.

Attention then turned to the barbecue and picnic held in the parish garden, where more than 60 people celebrated the event.  There Sue David was hard at work with barbecue chefs Martin Gallagher and James Baldwin-Webb.  Between them they sold 80 burgers and 80 hot dogs making a profit of £115 for the parish.

Prize giving followed eating and a free raffle was possible due to the generosity of local businesses who donated the following:

Planted basket – Bluebells of Petts Wood

£15 voucher – Isis Flowers & Events

Free manicure – Beautiful Nails

Bottle of mulled wine – Ciro's Wines

Giant Swiss roll – Queens Village Bakery

£10 voucher – Morrisons,

Meal for two – Sovereign of the Seas

Foot pump – Queensway Autos

£10 voucher – Cook

2# photo frames and 1# photo album – Owens Imaging

The event raised £772 for the parish, and perhaps more importantly a great number of our community had a great time.  Thanks must go to a huge number of helpers who made it all possible, especially the Fun Run Committee of Michelle Norman-Brown, Stephen O'Donnell, Claire Fisher and Chris Delf.  The Committee wishes to thank, in no particular order, the following:

Marshalls Maria and Sophie Witrow, Danielle Fisher (and Tom), Chris and Doreen Hairs, Denise and Stella Delf, Frank Simon, Andrew Prifti and Peter Crosland.

First aiders Dr Lucia Santoro, Andrea Crosland, and newly qualified first aider Stella Delf who also volunteered to assist.

Exercise Warm Up team Sarah Prifti and Sue David.

Photographer Andrew Prifti.

Timers Claire Fisher and Clive.

Supervisor of the Bag Tent Kelsey Fisher.

Help and advice also came from Joanna and Nigel Longhurst, Pam Lundy, Sue David, Fr Bryan, Kate Charlesworth, Martine Dunning and Susan Colligan-Wilson, Teresa Wells, Geoff Ford, Stephen Vass and others.

Thanks also to the volunteers who were prepared to help on the first date but who could not make the event itself.