Jog on! 6,500 people raise thousands for good causes at Maccabi GB Fun Run

More than 6,500 members of the community came together for the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run on Sunday. 

The popular community event took place at StoneX Stadium to raise funds for a record-breaking 99 participating communal charities.

Runners took part in the 10km, 5km, 5km walk on the fields surrounding the stadium in Mill Hill and a 1km run on the track. Each run began with official starters, including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis who kicked off the 1km.

Runners and spectators enjoyed free activities including a large selection of inflatables, rock-climbing wall, bungee trampolines and teacups.

There were also dance and singing performances by Vanessa Class School of Dance and the Israeli Dance Institute as well as a football masterclass by football freestyler, Itai Lichtenstein.

Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert, 99, took part in the 1k. She said: “It was a special experience to participate in the incredible Maccabi GB Fun Run, together with my great grandson Dov.

“Witnessing fellow Holocaust survivors and over 6,500 community members uniting for charity, under the sun, was so inspiring and interacting with so many young people at the run filled my day with joy. The Community Fun Run should remind us to always extend a helping hand to those in need and support charitable causes. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of others.”

Rabbi Yossi Simon, of Chabad Golders Green, one of the 99 charities that took part in the event, had the honour of blowing the Shofar to start each race and said:, “A beautiful event with an amazing vibe. Such a nice feeling of unity, so many charities and organisations from all parts of the community all together.”

Jonathan Prevezer, Chairman of Maccabi GB said: “What an incredible day it was, with over 6,500 community members coming together for the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run 2023. It was heartening to witness such a diverse and inclusive gathering, representing a true cross-section of our community.

“With 99 communal charities benefiting from the funds raised, the event showcased our community’s accessibility and commitment to making a difference. From young children to grandparents, veterans, Holocaust survivors, and individuals benefiting from charitable services, the day highlighted the remarkable capabilities and unity within our community.”

Charities that participated included: Aims2Cure, AJEX, AJR, AKIM, The Alan Senitt Memorial Trust, All Aboard, Arts Therapies for Children, BBYO, Beit Halochem UK, Board of Deputies of British Jews, British Friends of Rambam Medical Centre, Camp Simcha, Chabad Lubavitch Golders Green, Chai Cancer Care, Chana, Comfort Cases, CST, DKMS, Emunah, FD-UK, FZY, Generation 2 Generation, Gesher School, GIFT, Hatzola Edgware, Hebrew Order of David, HIAS + JCORE, HMH Football Club, Holland Park Synagogue, Israeli Dance Institute, Jami, JAT, JCounselling, Jewish Blind and Disabled, Jewish Care, Jewish Child’s Day, Jewish Deaf Association, Jewish Digest, Jewish Family Centre, Jewish Leadership Council and Lead, JLE,  JNF UK, Jewish Police Association, JVN, Jewish Women’s Aid, JLGB, Jnetics, JTeen, JW3, KEF Kids, Kisharon, Langdon, Leket Israel, Liberal Judaism, LJY, London Jewish Health Partnership, Maccabi GB, Magen David Adom UK, March of the Living UK, Masa, Masorti Judaism, Migdal Emunah, Mitzvah Day, Myisrael, New Israel Fund, Nightingale Hammerson, Noa, Noam, Norwood, Our Second Home, PJ Library, Reform Judaism, Resource, RSY,  S & P Sephardi Community, Save a Child’s Heart, Sebby’s Corner, Shaare Zedek, Shabbat Walk, Step by Step, Streetwise, The Together Plan, The United Synagogue, Tikva UK, Tribe, UJIA, UJS, UK Friends of Schneider, United Hatzalah, Voices of the Holocaust, World Jewish Relief, Wolfson Hillel, Work Avenue, Yad Vashem UK Foundation, Yellow Candle, Yoni Jesner Foundation and Youth Aliyah.