For immediate release
Birds of a feather will flock together when The Leonard Cheshire Foundation's 1996 Flora London Marathon team take to the streets on Sunday, 21 April.
One hundred and fifty feather headed fundraisers from all over the UK, will run the Marathon to raise much needed money for the Leonard Cheshire Foundation.
The charity, the UK's largest provider of care and services for people with disabilities, has guaranteed getting its plucky runners noticed - each runner will sport a red
headband adorned with a one foot long red feather.
The red feather, the mark of the Foundation worldwide, derives from a feather emblem first used by a Singapore Cheshire Home in the 1960's. Red symbolises security and happiness; while feathers fly far and wide, sigrnf~ing the global spread of the Leonard Cheshire Foundation.
-niore
Foundation Director General James Stanford, said: "These marathon runners are very special to everyone at the Leonard Cheshire Foundation~ The money they raise will
enable us to continue our commitment to provide disabled people, both in the UK and internationally, with real choice and opportunity."
Adds James: "We are very proud of these dedicated individuals and want to draw
attention to their sterling commitment to the Foundation's service users. Every runner needs a lift in the Marathon and spectators will give a special cheer to anyone wearing something a little different.
"Hopeflilly the red feather will also be a major talking point on Marathon day - people will want to know why so many runners are wearing red feathers and this is a
wonderftil opportunity for the Foundation to show the World who we are. I am
looking forward to seeing all the red feathers coming down the Mall!"
Last year, the money raised by people running the Marathon on behalf of the Foundation flinded a multitude of projects around the world. These ranged from the reftirbishment of a bungalow at Seven Springs Cheshire Home, Tunbridge, for two NOTE TO EDITORS: The Leonard Cheshire Foundation is a registered charity
providing a range of high quality services for people with physical and learning disabilities and support for carers both in the UK and throughout the world.
Besides residential homes, the Foundation provides 42 support services for
people in their own homes and develops both independent and semi-independent housing schemes. It offers respite care and day care, carries out assessment and rehabilitation and provides counselling and training.
Outside the UK, there are over 200 Leonard Cheshire Homes and Services in 50 countries around the world providing support for thousands of individuals of all ages. These projects range from community clinics in Africa providing support
and rehabilitation for disabled children and their families, to independent living schemes set up and managed by people with disabilities in Canada and the USA.
severely disabled residents who had recently married, to a major building project in Guyana to provide a 20 unit residential home and day centre to serve the local community.
-ends-
For further Information on The Leonard Cheshire Foundation, please contact
Neil Byrne, press and PR assistant, The Leonard Cheshire Foundation, tel: 0171-
828 1822.
For information on local runners, contact Jane McConnell, Marathon coordinator, tel: 0171-931 9393.