Citi Belfast has announced its plans for the next Citi Belfast 5K run, a fundraiser for its charity of the year, Welcome Organisation. The event will take place from Citi’s Gateway building on Sydenham Road at 6:30pm on Thursday 15th September.
The 5K route will cover various historic maritime landmarks across Titanic Quarter in Belfast and is suitable for all fitness levels. Whether you walk or run, Citi is encouraging staff, friends, family and members of the general public to sign up, with all the proceeds of the £10 registration fee going to Welcome Organisation.
The Welcome Organisation is a charity that provides a range of potentially life-saving services to around 1,400 people affected by homelessness across greater Belfast. The charity focuses on three vital core services, which it operates across the city including a drop-in centre, offering people affected by homelessness free access to hot meals, showers, health checks, internet, laundry services and support. They also run a Street Outreach team of volunteers who are trained to provide potentially lifesaving care and support for people on the street, while their Crisis Accommodation and Floating Support services deliver critical services to those with a variety of complex needs.
In the spring, Citi pledged to support the Welcome Organisations’ Mobile Health Unit and organise a wide range of events to support the charity at a practical and financial level. The new Mobile Health Unit – a first of its kind in Northern Ireland – enhances the charity’s existing street outreach provision to improve the accessibility and quality of interventions for the hidden homeless and those who sleep rough – ultimately saving lives. The unit includes a clinical area featuring a treatment bed, fridge for transporting refrigerated pharmaceuticals including vaccines, lockable storage cupboards, a water system, a bench for staff to prepare their treatment, and a CCTV camera to view into the waiting area and outside the van, providing additional safety.
Speaking about the launch of Citi’s Charity 5K fundraiser, Graeme Bennett, Director, Markets, Belfast said, “I am excited that we are once again able to host the Citi Belfast 5K after a two-year break. This event is for everyone and we look forward to welcoming runners of all abilities to the new fast and flat route for 2022. The team in Belfast are passionate about this event as it supports our fundraising efforts for our local charity of the year, The Welcome Organisation. It has also given me the push to get my running shoes on again too!”
Kieran Hughes, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Welcome Organisation added, “We are delighted that the return of Citi Belfast’s 5K event will benefit The Welcome Organisation this year. The event is a fantastic way to bring together colleagues, friends, family and the public, and the money raised for The Welcome Organisation will be put to a great use, as we continue to deliver essential support for people experiencing homelessness in Belfast.”
For more information and to sign up to Citi Belfast’s 5K fundraiser, visit: https://plannd.co.uk/citi-belfast-5k/
