Face-to-face joy is back! Thousands turn out for return of the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run
THE MACCABI GB Community Fun Run returned on Sunday and it was the largest in person community event since the pandemic. Thousands of members of the community participated to raise funds for an incredible 76 communal charities.
Members of the community took part in either the 10km, 5km, 5km walk, 1km or the Tri-Run, which combines all three distances.
Each run began with official starters; including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who started the 5km; Maccabi GB Chairman David Pinnick, who started the 10km; and owner of Saracens FC Nigel Wray, who started the 1km. All participants received a Maccabi GB Community Fun Run medal sponsored by Genesis Philanthropy Group.
Runners and spectators took part in lots of activities throughout the day, including slime making, Cloud 9 inflatables, mini golf and a Panna Tournament.
UJIA brought an incredible interactive Tel Aviv experience with a beach, fruit-juice bar, Matkot sets and much more! JW3 hosted Baby Yoga and there were performances on stage by Dancing with Vanessa, a Football Masterclass by Itai Lichtenstein and a performance by the Israeli Dance Institute.
As well as lots of activities, runners and spectators also enjoyed the incredible food court, which included a delicious BBQ from Hebrew Order of David, Slice Pizza, Head Room Café from Jami, Uncle Doovy’s Ice Cream Van and Kosher Candy King. For the first time ever, the event was livestreamed thanks to JLP Productions in conjunction with Simcha Streaming. It has had more than 500 views to date.
The 76 charities involved on the day were: AJEX, AJR Charitable Trust, AKIM, All Aboard, Arts Therapies for Children, Bedside Kosher, Board of Deputies of British Jews, British Friends of Israel Guide Dog Centre, British Friends of Rambam Medical Centre, British Friends of Shalva, Camp Simcha, Chabad Golders Green, Chai Cancer Care, Chana, CST, Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue, FD-UK, Food Bank Aid, Gesher Primary School, GIFT, Hebrew Order of David, Israeli Dance Institute, Jami, Jeremy’s Circle, Jewish Blind & Disabled, Jewish Care, Jewish Child’s Day, Jewish Digest, Jewish Museum, Jewish Police Association, Jewish Women’s Aid, JLC, JLE, JLGB, Jnetics, JNF UK, JVN, JW3, Kef Kids, Kisharon, Langdon, Leadership by Streetwise, Leket UK, Liberal Judaism, London School of Jewish Studies, Maccabi GB, Magen David Adom UK, Malki Foundation, March of the Living UK, Masa UK, Masorti Judaism, Migdal Emunah, Migdal OHR UK, Norwood, PJ Library in the UK, Project ImpACT, Raphael Jewish Counselling, Reform Judaism, Resource, Save a Childs Heart UK, Shenley Synagogue, Stand Up! Education against Discrimination, Streetwise, S&P Sephardi Community, The Oli Leigh Trust, The Together Plan, The United Synagogue, UJIA, UK Friends of Schneider Children’s Hospital, University Jewish
Chaplaincy, Wizo UK, World Jewish Relief, Work Avenue, Yad Vashem, Yellow Candle Project and Yoni Jesner Foundation.
A special thanks must go to the sponsors and partner organisations of the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run in helping make this year’s event so successful: Genesis Philanthropy Group, Saracens FC, Squires Estates, Hebrew Order of David, JLP Productions in conjunction with Simcha Streaming, JLC, Sabeny, Dare2b, CanO Water, Jewish Volunteering Network, UJIA, CST, and our media partner The Jewish Chronicle. A thank you must
also go to everyone who donated prizes for our amazing raffle. Marina Yudborovsky, CEO of Genesis Philanthropy Group, said: ‘We are proud and privileged to have supported this year’s Maccabi GB Community Fun Run. This annual fixture in the communal calendar is such a positive and inspiring occasion, giving participants of all ages the opportunity to unite around one common goal – giving back to the community.’
David Pinnick, Chairman of Maccabi GB commented, ‘It was incredible to see the community return en masse to an actual live event, the first and largest of its kind since the pandemic.
“We were all able to enjoy a funpacked family day out and it was heartening to see so many participants of all ages taking part in the various organised runs and walks, all raising money for their own chosen communal charities. I am delighted that Maccabi GB have managed to bring the Community Fun Run back this year and very proud of what has been achieved in organising this special event.’
Alexander Fenton, participant of the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run commented: ‘It was great to participate in this year’s event.
“I took on a challenge to raise money for charity and to give back to the community.
“I have never ran 5km but I loved being a part of the run and seeing everyone cheer each other on! The whole day was amazing and it was great to see the community come back together.”
It was heartening to see so many participants taking part