Annual Run for Joel returns with home race in aid of charity
Hundreds of people are expected to take part in a run at home for this year's Smile for Joel charity event.
Run for Joel was due to take place at Sandwell Valley Park in West Bromwich on September 6, but has had to be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Instead, people are being urged to instead take part in Run for Joel Run From Home over the weekend of September 5 and 6.
It will raise money for charity Smile for Joel – set up by Wednesbury mother and son pair Suzy Evans and Owen Richards after the death of three close family members.
Suzy’s son Joel Richards, age 19, her brother Adrian Evans, and father Patrick Evans – Owen’s brother, uncle and grandfather – were all shot and killed in the Tunisia terror attacks of 2015.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the the attack and the launch of the Smile for Joel charity – which has raised £300,000 and support more than 1,500 families.
As part of this year's Run for Joel, participants can either complete a 5km or 3km run, walk or cycle at home. To register for the event, it costs £5 for adults and £2 for children.
Everyone who registers will receive a limited edition Run for Joel 2020 wristband and running bib in the post. There will also be an online warm up available on the day.
Suzy said: "After the disappointment of so many Smile for Joel events being cancelled during lockdown, we are excited to announce our new Run for Joel Run From Home.
"We could not let the fifth anniversary of the Tunisia attack go by without our annual Run for Joel.
"Our charity needs your support to help fundraise, but your safety must come first. Therefore we have taken the sensible decision to modify this year's event due the pandemic.
"We are so excited for our event to still go ahead and with Run From Home we are hoping the whole of the UK will get involved in memory of all those that never came home."
For more information about Smile for Joel, and to register for Run for Joel, visit www.smileforjoel.com.
