It’s back! RBC Race for the Kids to return to Hyde Park this autumn
For the first time in three years, GOSH Charity’s much-loved RBC Race for the Kids will return to its home of Hyde Park in London, and registrations are now open for the fun-filled day of fundraising.
Taking place on 8 October 2022, GOSH Charity’s biggest mass participation event will see families, friends and individuals of all ages and abilities come together to race 5k by foot, wheelchair or scooter to raise money for seriously ill children treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
GOSH Charity will host the UK race for the 13th time as part of the global RBC Race for the Kids, a series of 17 running events in support of 35 children and youth charities in 19 countries. To date, the series has attracted more than 325,000 participants worldwide who have collectively raised more than CD$74 million.
The Hyde Park route has been designed to be accessible to all, with dogs, pushchairs, wheelchairs and scooters welcome. Entrants can race individually or as a team and will be rewarded for their efforts with an environmentally friendly wooden medal as they cross the finish line. What’s more, alongside the cheering crowds and inspiring participants, attendees will be treated to a festival village providing music, entertainment, and refreshments throughout the day.
GOSH Charity hopes to see fundraisers in their thousands at the iconic Royal Park, but for those living further afield or who are unable to travel on the day, the virtual element of the race introduced in 2020 and 2021 will remain. Participants taking part from home can pick a distance of their choice to complete in their local neighbourhood between 1-9 October. Everyone, no matter how they sign up, will be making a huge difference in supporting the extraordinary families at GOSH.
Adult registration for the in-person race is £21.50* and children under 16 can run for free. The money raised will go towards funding the hospital’s most urgent needs, including ground-breaking research, advanced medical equipment, support services for children and their families, and the rebuilding and refurbishment of wards and medical facilities.
Louise Parkes, Chief Executive of GOSH Charity, said: “We are delighted that this year’s RBC Race for the Kids will return to its home of Hyde Park in October. This will be GOSH Charity’s first in-person mass participation event since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and what a joy it will be to raise money for seriously ill children at GOSH as part of a big group once again.
“The hybrid nature of this year’s event means that people can take part closer to their homes too, and after the success of our virtual race events in 2020 and 2021, I look forward to hearing about all the wonderful people across the UK raising vital funds for patients and their families.”
Dave Thomas, CEO, RBC Europe, said: “RBC Race for the Kids is an annual highlight for us all at Royal Bank of Canada, but this year is particularly special as it will be in-person for the first time since 2019. We look forward to joining our clients, colleagues, and friends and family in Hyde Park to support the fantastic work of GOSH Charity.”
For more information and to sign up to take part, please visit: gosh.org/rbcraceforthekids
*The entry fee will increase to £25 from 19 September.