Run For Rhys celebrates the life of 11-year-old Everton fan Rhys Jones from Croxteth Park who was shot and killed in 2007 walking home from football training – the innocent victim of a feud between rival gangs
The second annual Run For Rhys 5K takes place in Liverpool next weekend and this year the event will also include a family fun afternoon.
Happening on Sunday, August 26, in the grounds of Croxteth Hall and Country Park, the one-mile fun run takes place at 11am, with the 5K following at 12 noon.
Run For Rhys celebrates the life of 11-year-old Rhys Jones from Croxteth. The young Everton fan was innocently caught in the cross-fire between two rival gangs, and was shot as he walked home from football training in Croxteth. Rhys lost his life on August 22, 2007.
The Rhys Jones Community Centre in Croxteth Park created the Run For Rhys 5K last year as an annual positive legacy event in his memory. Run For Rhys has the blessing of Rhys’ parents Mel and Steve Jones.
The event provides a platform to remember Rhys, while raising much-needed funds so the centre can continue its vital work in the local community. Last year’s Run For Rhys raised £4,000 through fundraising and donations – and organisers are hoping to beat that total this year.
Following the one-mile and 5K fun runs, the fundraising event will continue into the afternoon with stalls, entertainment and fun activities for all the family including arts and crafts, games and sports demonstrations.
It costs £60,000 a year to run and maintain the Rhys Jones Community Centre and relies solely on fundraising, donations and grants. It receives no funding from Liverpool City Council. This includes £10,000 a year to maintain its two artificial football pitches, which form a key part activity, being used six days and five evenings a week.
Sharon Jardine, a director of the Rhys Jones Community Centre, said: “The main focus of the Rhys Jones Community Centre is to raise aspirations, give hope and strengthen community unity in Croxteth.
“We’ve worked extremely hard over the last 12 months to further establish the centre as a community hub. Seeing regular faces, young people and their families, return week after week means we are on the right track.
Everyone who takes part in either of the runs will receive a bespoke, specially-designed technical running T-shirt, available beforehand so it can be worn for the run. All finishers will also receive a commemorative medal.
Fun run registration fees pay to stage and deliver all aspects of the event, including race numbers, T-shirts and medals. To register click here. A virtual run option is also available for anyone unable to take part on the day but would still like to be part of the event.