The 2015 Swindon Half Marathon has been saved after charity SEQOL charity stepped forward to lead its organisation.

The popular community event looked set to be cancelled after its previous sponsors, British Heart Foundation, withdrew earlier this month.

But at a meeting of various public and private sector representatives held at Swindon Borough Council offices last Thursday, it was agreed that a partnership group, led by SEQOL charity as lead organising body for the event, will be tasked with ensuring that the financial costs and obligations can be met through sponsorship and the provision of services in kind.

That group will comprise of a range of supporters, including Save the Children, Greenwich Leisure Limited, Cadence Events Limited and media companies including the Swindon Advertiser, Total Swindon and Heart.

Several offers of financial and services in kind support have already been made by local groups and companies, and the partnership group will be appealing to many more local people and companies, as well as looking to work closely with running groups, to secure their support to the Half Marathon event as well.

SEQOL chairman Michelle Howard said the charity is keen to be involved because the half marathon is a great Swindon event for people to enjoy, from seasoned runners to first time joggers, and families and individuals of all abilities can get involved.  It is clearly aligned with the charities values and focus on supporting health and well-being.

Local charities will benefit from people who are running for sponsorship for the charity of their choice.

“We are very proud to take a leadership role in the organisation for the Swindon Half Marathon,” said Michelle.

“We at SEQOL charity are keen to play a part in an event that reflects our values of helping people to live their lives to the full, and to remain as fit and well as they can.

“This event has made a big difference to local charities since it began and it is wonderful that charities and businesses across Swindon have come together with such positivity and enthusiasm to make it happen.

“We hope that more people than ever will join in to show their support. We are looking for businesses, organisations and individuals to provide both financial support and support in kind. This year’s Swindon Half Marathon will be a real local community event, the product of the expertise and experiences of the people of Swindon.”

Swindon Advertiser editor Gary Lawrence said: "We'll be doing all we can to supprt this fantastic event. It is wonderful that SEQOL has stepped up to take on the leadership. This is far too important an event to let it lapse. The money it raises for fantastic causes around the area is so badly needed."

This year’s event will be the 12th consecutive half marathon hosted in Swindon. Last year saw more than 1,500 runners taking part to fundraise for good causes.

As soon as the plans for the event have been confirmed, information will be distributed and runners will be able to register for the event that is being held on 11 October. 

SEQOL is a social enterprise that delivers a range of community health and adult social care services, including supported employment, to the residents of Swindon.  The ethos and services of SEQOL are all about supporting people to make the most of their lives.

Most of SEQOL’s employees are also partners in the social enterprise, which means they have a personal share in SEQOL. As a social enterprise SEQOL reinvests any surplus it makes into projects that will be of benefit to the community it serves.

For more information on SEQOL, go to www.seqol.org