The Bath Half is a fundraising bonanza.

Just the thought of making good on the pledges you’ve received can be enough to pull you through those gruelling 13.1 miles.

Last year’s race saw an incredible £2.25 million raised for charity.

The average amount raised by individual runners was £520, ranking the Bath Half Marathon in the top three charitable running events in the country and the top race outside London.

The bar has certainly been set very high for the 2018 running of the event.

And there are dozens of good causes with places still to fill.

Runners in costume along Windsor Bridge
Runners in costume along Windsor Bridge

If you haven’t signed up for the March 4 race and want to experience the thrill of being cheered on by 30,000 spectators, this could be the way to go.

The following charities have all contacted the Chronicle to appeal for runners.

CoppaFeel!

#teamboobs run the Bath Half for CoppaFeel!

Why you should run for them: Coppafeel! exists to educate and remind every young person in the UK that checking their boobs isn’t only fun, it could save their life. We are the first breast cancer charity in the UK to solely create awareness amongst young people, with the aim of instilling the knowledge and tools they need to get to know their bodies. We like to talk about a serious message in a light-hearted way, empowering people to start healthy habits for life.

What's the cost to run with them: £20

The minimum sponsorship they ask for: £250

How to register: www.coppafeel.org/bathhalf

Bath Rugby Foundation

Fundraisers line up for Bath Rugby Foundation at the Bath Half Marathon
A Bath Rugby Foundation Bath Half fundraiser with extra padding

Why: Bath Rugby Foundation is the charitable arm of Bath Rugby Club set up to empower young people in Bath and surrounding areas to succeed. The foundation uses the values of rugby to inspire young people to create a better future for themselves, focusing on improving health, education, employability and inclusion in the South West.

Cost: Free

Asking for: £250

How: https://entries.bathhalf.co.uk/ps/event/BathHalfMarathon2018/EntryForm?id=29125&mode

Prostate Cancer UK

Why: We are the leading charity fighting to combat the most common cancer in men. With 1 in 8 men being diagnosed at some point in their lives it’s imperative that we unite together to stop this horrible disease. Join Men United and run alongside everyone who believes men are worth fighting for. We’ll support you with regular updates, fundraising and training tips to get you to the finish.

Cost: £20

Asking for: £200

How: www.prostatecanceruk.org/get-involved/find-a-fundraising-event/bath-half-marathon

Rainforest Concern

Why: For 25 years, Rainforest Concern has been protecting threatened natural habitats, their biodiversity and the indigenous people who depend on them for their survival.

Central to Rainforest Concern's philosophy is the creation of strong partnerships with small, dynamic organisations in the countries it operates in. Currently, it has projects in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, India and Romania.

As well as direct conservation, Rainforest Concern supports programmes of alternative income generation such as sustainable horticulture to reduce human impact on forests. It also funds research in biodiversity through partnerships with national and international universities.

Cost: £50

Asking for: £300

How: Email us at info@rainforestconcern.org, call 01225481151, or apply online at http://bathhalf.co.uk/charity/rainforest-concern/

Off The Record B&NES

Off The Record Bath Half flyer

Why: We provide a range of free, confidential and independent services for children and young people that support the development of their emotional health and well being. We work with children and young people in a range of place. These include community venues,places where children and young people live, hang out and/or go to school as well as our own premises in Bath and Midsommer Norton.

We work with children and young people covering a broad range of issues: abuse, anger, anxiety, bullying, depression, domestic violence and abuse, health issues, making changes to their lives, relationships with families/friends/partners, self harm, sexual health and anything else that troubles children and young people.

Cost: Free

Asking for: £200

How: Email events@offtherecord-banes.co.uk or call Andrew on 07873 176166 or Legion on 07733 297 454

African Initiatives

Some of the work the charity African Initiatives does

Why: Established in Bristol in 1997, African Initiatives works to empower marginalised women and girls in African communities, so they can enjoy equal status and achieve their potential. In partnership with communities, governments and civil society organisations, we work with the most marginalised women and girls to address the barriers they face to achieve improved life opportunities.

We focus on giving people a voice, so they can fight for the rights they deserve but do not have. The right to an education. The right to health. The right to resources and a livelihood and the right to have a say in the decisions that shape the future. Together with our partners in Tanzania, we empower individuals and communities with the ability to lift themselves out of poverty and bring about lasting change. We don’t give hand-outs; we educate and encourage people to pass on knowledge and work together to improve their rights in a sustainable way.

Cost: £30

Asking for: £250

How: http://www.african-initiatives.org.uk/support-us/run-for-us/, call Michael on 0117 915 0001 or email michael@african-initiatives.org.uk

Pancreatic Cancer UK

Do you fancy following in Kayla's footsteps for Pancreatic Cancer UK?

Why: In the UK pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all the 21 most common cancers, with just seven percent of people living for five years or more after diagnosis.

Pancreatic cancer research has historically been underfunded. The disease attracts just 1.9 per cent of the UK cancer research budget per year.

Pancreatic Cancer UK is taking on this tough disease through supporting those affected, investing in ground breaking research and lobbying for greater recognition of the disease.

We’re asking people to take on the Bath Half Marathon and raise funds to help us change the chances of survival for people with this devastating disease.

Cost: £15

Asking for: £229

How: https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/fundraising-and-events/join-an-event/runs/2018/march/bath-half-marathon/

Compassion UK

Why: The Compassion Challenges team are running to raise money which will provide impoverished children living in São Domingos community in Brazil with essential dental treatment and education.

Cost: Free

Asking for: £250

How: Email darrena@compassionuk.org

Genesis Trust

Homeless people and rough sleepers can go to Genesis Trust for support

Why: Our aim at Genesis is to help individuals and families move forward in their lives by providing for their most immediate needs, and by empowering them to help themselves and reach their full potential. We do this by offering food, advice and support, and by providing more long-term opportunities for skill development, work and community integration. Our 10 interlinked projects include the Lifeline daytime drop-in centre for homeless and vulnerable people, Furniture Project collecting and selling second hand furniture at low cost and Life Skills, providing mentoring and training for vulnerable people.

Cost: Free

Asking for: £250

How: http://entries.bathhalf.co.uk/ps/event/BathHalfMarathon2018?joincode=4x820j5ZJ2

First Steps

Children from First Steps Nursery play on new artificial grass - First Steps Nursery, Woodhouse Road, Twerton

Why: First Steps (Bath) is a great cause because it supports young children and families in local communities in Bath who are at risk of being disadvantaged by poverty and challenging circumstances. The funds raised by our Bath Half runners will support the redevelopment of our outdoor learning area at First Steps Twerton, including a bug corner and new spaces for music and water play. This will help to build a stimulating outdoor play area to inspire young minds and build the children’s learning and creativity skills with great opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement.

Cost: £39.60

Asking for: £175

How: Runners can register using the form available on the website: www.firststepsbath.org.uk/fundraising/how-you-can-help/bath-half-marathon-march-4th-201 or by emailing isobel.michael@firststepsbath.org.uk

Lifeskills

Why: Lifeskills is an amazing, interactive village complete with road, shops and houses, where visitors actually experience difficult or dangerous situations and learn how to manage them. Activities encourage visitors to develop independence and confidence in decision making and explore the consequences of their actions in potentially dangerous situations. Our programmes target primary school children, people with learning difficulties, older people and pre-school children. The charity is based in Central Bristol and caters for groups across the West of England area.

Cost: £30

Asking for: £300

How: Please contact Jo on 0117 9224511 or by email johanna@lifeskills-bristol.org.uk

Bath Cats and Dogs Home

Snowy loves going on walks

Why: Join Bath Cats and Dogs Home’s Bath Half Marathon team and run for the love of dogs (and cats)!

Bath Cats and Dogs Home rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes unwanted and abandoned pets from Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire.

Every year over 1,400 animals are brought into the centre by members of the public, local wardens and from RSPCA inspectors that have rescued animals from cruelty and neglect.

Cupcake was rescued by staff at the Bath Cats and Dogs Home in 2015
Cupcake was rescued by staff at the Bath Cats and Dogs Home in 2015

The money raised from the charity’s amazing team of runners will pay to provide professional expert care, food, shelter and veterinary treatment to the animals in their care, whilst new homes are sought for them through the charity’s adoption scheme. Join their team and make a difference to unwanted pets lives today.

Cost: Free

Asking for: £250

How: http://www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk/how_you_can_help/challenge_events/bath_half_marathon or call Emma on 01225 787334

Carers' Centre

Why: The Carers’ Centre supports over 4,000 people in Bath and North East Somerset who are looking after someone at home, usually because they are ill, disabled or frail. Over 700 of these are children and young people who are affected by having someone unwell at home. This can mean missing school, trouble sleeping or not being able to have friends over. Adult carers can face the same issues of social isolation, poor health and particularly a financial impact. Sometimes carers will have to give up work to look after someone meaning they lose skills, socialising and of course their income.

Cost: Free

Asking for: £175

How: You can find a bit of a blurb about us and our Bath Half Team here http://bathhalf.co.uk/charity/bath-north-east-somerset-carers-centre/

And our registration link: https://entries.bathhalf.co.uk/ps/event/BathHalfMarathon2018?joincode=777aNjU0QQ

Send a Cow

Why: Send a Cow’s herd of runners will be easily recognisable in their cow-print running vests and matching cow ears.

The money raised will help provide struggling families in the poorest parts of Africa with the training, tools, seeds and livestock to produce their own food, helping them to lift themselves out of poverty for good.

Cost: £10

Asking for: £200

How: www.sendacow.org

Wansdyke Play Association

Why: WPA provide a variety of services for children, young people and their families in need of extra support. They work with children and families with additional needs and those struggling with social isolation. They also have significant experience of working with children/young people who have suffered trauma from bereavement, abuse or who face having a parent in jail.

Cost: Free

Asking for: £175

How: Please contact Stacey via stacey@wpa-play.com or on 01761 470889.

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity

A Great Western Air Ambulance in action
A Great Western Air Ambulance in action

Why: Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) provide the air ambulance and critical care service across BANES, and so every penny you raise will go towards enabling them to carry out this life saving work.

What’s more, the charity will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018, making this a great way for people to support GWAAC’s work across the whole region, providing their life-saving service for 2.1 million people. They operate 365 days a year, ensuring a specialist critical care doctor and paramedic are on the scene as fast as possible.

They have also recently launched their Great Western Heart Starters in Bath. This is a training programme for school pupils in Yrs 8-10. Their vision is to create a region of heart starters who can confidently administer CPR and use an AED should they ever find themselves in a situation where it’s needed. The sessions are fully interactive and hands on, ensuring the training process is fun and stimulating.

Cost: £19

Asking for: £175

How: https://greatwesternairambulance.com/bath-half-marathon-march-2018/

Lewis Moody Foundation

Why: Take on The Bath Half and run with Rugby Legend Lewis Moody and The Foundation’s team of over 25 runners on this fast flat course, straddling both sides of the river Avon. Starting and finishing in the heart of beautiful, historic Bath, The Bath Half Marathon – or the ‘BATHALF’ as it is affectionately known, is one of the longest established and most popular city centre road events in the UK.

Brain Tumours are THE biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 and we need your help to change this.

Cost: £30

Asking for: £500

How: Email info@thelewismoodyfoundation.org to get your place today

The Forever Friends Appeal (Royal United Hospital)

Woolridge fled from the RUH
The RUH, Bath's main hospital, is in Combe Park

Forever Friends Appeal seeking Bath Half 2018 runners

Why: If you’re interested in running one of the best half’s in the country (and our local!), then join our team today. By running for the RUH, every step you take will help support patients when they need it most. The money you raise will make it possible for us to fund additional equipment, research and innovations, as well as finishing touches and extras that go above and beyond what standard NHS funding can provide.

When you join our team, you can choose to support any ward or department that’s close to your heart or one of our major projects – RUH Cancer Care Campaign or RNHRD and Therapies Centre.

Cost: £35

Asking for: £175

How: Sign up at www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/events/bath-halfmarathon or email: 01225 821535

Citizens' Advice B&NES

Why: Citizens Advice Bath and North East Somerset is the main charity in the community providing free, expert and independent help and advice on serious issues such as debt, housing, benefits, employment, and so much more to over 8,000 people a year in times of crisis, when they often have nowhere else to turn. We are a small, local charity that has existed in BANES since World War Two and we are now in need of critical funding to keep our doors open for the 1 in 20 residents we help each year. Our service is about more than just advice, and running for us in next year's Bath Half Marathon will play a key part in helping us to help some of the most disadvantaged people in the community turn their lives around for the better - whether that is supporting a family who can no longer afford to eat or heat their homes in times of serious financial crisis or helping someone to avoid a life-changing situation like homelessness.

Cost: Free

Asking for: £250

How: Send an email to laura.quinn@cab-banes.org

Jamie's Farm

So far, the collection has raised £720.62 for Jamie's Farm

Why: Your support means that we can continue to help disadvantaged 11-16 year olds who are at risk of social and academic exclusion. We’ve had teams of runners take part in this race for lots of years now, and many comeback over and over again; not just for the course which they love, but to be part of Jamie’s Farm for the weekend. From a pasta party at our wonderful farm the night before, to accommodation for those who need it and a lift to the start, we promise you will be well looked after and your fundraising will really make a difference to the work that we do.

Cost: £20

Asking for: £175

How: Email jill@jamiesfarm.org.uk

Wiltshire Air Ambulance

Why: Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been saving lives for 27 years. It attends, on average, three incidents a day. In 2016 one in four incidents were road traffic collisions and almost one in ten incidents involved children. Its paramedics are employed by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and seconded to Wiltshire Air Ambulance

Cost: £33

Asking for: £200

How: To sign up or for more information email kenresa@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk or call 01380 739453.

Bath Area Play Project

Bath Rugby stars Francois Louw and Niko Matewaluw open a new sensory room for the Bath Area Play Project
Bath Rugby stars Francois Louw and Niko Matewaluw open a new sensory room for the Bath Area Play Project

Why: We promote and facilitate opportunities for children and young people to play and participate in positive activities. BAPP recognises and promotes the importance of self-directed play in relation to child development and the rights of children and young people.

Cost: Free

Asking for: £175

How: http://entries.bathhalf.co.uk/ps/event/BathHalfMarathon2018?joincode=qhA12KnOzN

We Hear You

Why: We provide services in Bath (within the Royal United Hospital and in a community location) and in the surrounding area through centres in Midsomer Norton, Bradford on Avon and in Trowbridge.

Our service is free of charge for local people, and we provide much needed emotional support to local families during a time of crisis.

Cost:

Asking for:

How: Please contact Gemma Wilkes on 01373 455255 or by email fundraising@wehearyou.org.uk

Best For Ages (MHA)

Why: You will be raising funds to help Stratton House, our Care Home in Bath transform their garden from an inaccessible and uninspiring place to a beautiful sensory garden, filled with bright scented plants and plenty of easy to access places for the residents to sit and enjoy the fresh air.

Cost: £40

Asking for: £200

How: www.bestforages.com/bathhalf

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