Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council has extended its partnership with the town’s fun run.

Last year’s 41st Royal Sutton Fun Run, generated £302,400, distributed to 135 charities and voluntary organisations nominated by those who took part in the event.

The total raised last year represented a 60 per cent increase on the 2023 total, with the event having now distributed over £5.4million to charities and voluntary organisations across the Royal Town and local area since 1982.

Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council leader, Cllr Simon Ward, said: “The Town Council is delighted to extend its support of the Royal Town’s longest running, largest and most successful annual fundraising event.

“The Fun Run sits at the heart of the annual event calendar of our Royal Town and embodies the amazing community spirit we have across the town.

“The Fun Run provides a wonderful vehicle for people to enjoy a great day with family, friends and work colleagues whilst raising money for many local charities and voluntary groups.

“The charity and voluntary sectors are undoubtedly facing challenging times and the money raised by those who participate in the Fun Run, provides a huge benefit to their finances enabling them to continue to deliver their valuable services across the town.

“We enjoyed fabulous weather last year with the town centre full of spectators and reports from around the course, suggesting crowds were bigger than ever. This clearly demonstrates the passion and love people have for this annual event.

“As always, many groups from the local voluntary sector, including from the scout & guide movements, provided vital support marshalling in the town centre and around the course.

“It was good to hear the local economy also benefitted from an uplift in footfall and revenue with local hospitality destinations, in particular, enjoying a significant increase in business.”

Fun Run Director James Pike said: “We’re indebted to Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council for its support over the last three years and look forward to continuing our strategic partnership throughout 2025 & beyond.

“The partnership with the Town Council, has been instrumental in helping us continue our recovery following Covid-19 restrictions along with a continued increase in participants and money raised for charities and voluntary organisations.”

Registration for this year’s Royal Sutton Fun Run will close at 11pm this evening unless the maximum 5500 places are booked beforehand.

More than 5,300 people have so far registered for this year’s event - making it the largest event in six years.