Run Archives - Winston's Wish Events

Hayley’s Story: How Being Supported By Winston’s Wish Inspired Her To Tackle South Wales’ Highest Peak

Elliot — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:56:03 +0000

Hayley Allinson will be donning her hiking boots this Mother’s Day for a sunrise trek up Pen y Fan as she takes part in our Hike for Hope event.

Winston’s Wish is a cause close to Hayley’s heart. After she was bereaved of her mum, Hayley was supported by us in the aftermath. Hayley shares, “I thought it would be a great way to give back to an amazing charity that has helped me when I was younger and also give myself a good distraction on Mother’s Day.

“I always make sure to give myself something to do on big events like Mother’s Day, my mum’s birthday and the anniversary of her death, so that it gives me more time to reflect on happy memories rather than sitting at home and feeling sad. 

“I am looking forward to having that feeling of accomplishment once I have got to the top of Pen y fan. I am yet to venture out in a walk in the rain, but I should practice since Wales is known for its rainy weather! 

“As a day job, I work in a nursery and I work as the SENco so I help children who may have additional needs. What I would like people to know about child bereavement is that everyone goes on a different path.

“Even if they seem like the happiest child in the world and like nothing has happened, they may still be feeling big emotions on the inside but don’t want to share those feelings in fear of adding more stress onto a family who is already stressed.

“Having open and honest conversations with children about their feelings and also your own feelings can help them get through hard times. Also having open conversations with children who haven’t been through bereavement so they are aware of different family situations they may come across, can be great for their understanding.”

Hike for Hope will take place on the 15^th of March, a date many will acknowledge as Mother’s Day.

The event will see intrepid trekkers pick up their hiking boots and take part in a sponsored walk under starlight to enjoy a sunrise finish atop South Wales’ tallest peak, part of the beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog. There is a £25 registration fee and a minimum sponsorship to raise £160.

We recognise that Mother’s Day can be an especially tricky time of year for many bereaved children and young people.

Hayley comments, “Mother’s Day as an adult can be hard but as I have previously said about trying to find distractions on the day, I always go visit my mum’s grave with my dad as a few of our other family members are buried there and lay some flowers down and then we normally go for a walk somewhere.”

If you would like to join Hayley and find out more about the Hike for Hope Pen y Fan, visit the dedicated page on the Winston’s Wish Events site. Participants can expect a bundle from Winston’s Wish, including dedicated fundraising support, access to the training as well as a branded technical t-shirt.  

Feel inspired?

Run for Winston’s Wish

The post Hayley’s Story: How Being Supported By Winston’s Wish Inspired Her To Tackle South Wales’ Highest Peak appeared first on Winston's Wish Events.

Brighton & Hove Triathlon

Kerry Waite — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Join Team Winston for one of the biggest triathlon events in the calendar!

Swim Bike Run events for everyone from first‑timers to the pros!

Experience the fast and flat traffic-free route from Hove Lawns along the famous Brighton seafront Promenade. Brighton & Hove Triathlon is well established as one of the biggest events in the triathlon calendar. Take on the standard triathlon, perfect for more experienced triathletes and those looking to race a standard distance race for the first time, and support grieving children through Winston’s Wish.

Registration fee: £139

Distance: Swim 1.500m (sea), Bike 40km, Run 10km

Minimum sponsorship: there is no target, just raise what you can.

Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK are merging to strengthen the support available for bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK. In the coming weeks, Winston’s Wish will change its name to Child Bereavement UK. By taking on the Brighton & Hove Triathlon you will still be raising money to support grieving children, young people and families, but the charity you will be fundraising for will be called Child Bereavement UK.

What you’ll get from us:

A welcome email and fundraising pack
A branded top to wear on the day
Support from our dedicated team to help you achieve your target
Additional fundraising resources upon request
Access to training app by our partners at GH Training
e-newsletters with news from across the charity

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Blenheim Palace Triathlon

Kerry Waite — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Take on an exhilarating weekend of sport at Blenheim Palace and fundraise for Winston’s Wish

Blenheim Palace Triathlon, one of Europe’s most spectacular triathlons welcomes competitors and spectators alike for an unforgettable experience. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Palace, Great Lake and vast Estate this iconic event offers a range of challenges to suit all skill levels. From beginner-friendly options to advanced races there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy, whether you’re competing or cheering from the sidelines.

As the world’s only triathlon held at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this event is not just a race; it’s a celebration of movement and camaraderie.

Registration fee: £133.23

Distance: Swim 0.75km, Bike 19.8km, Run 5.4km

Minimum sponsorship: there is no target, just raise what you can. Every penny will help make a difference to the children and young people we support.

Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK are merging to strengthen the support available for bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK. In the coming weeks, Winston’s Wish will change its name to Child Bereavement UK. By taking on the Blenheim Palace Triathlon you will still be raising money to support grieving children, young people and families, but the charity you will be fundraising for will be called Child Bereavement UK.

What you’ll get from us:

A welcome email and fundraising pack
A branded top to wear on the day
Support from our dedicated team to help you achieve your target
Additional fundraising resources upon request
Access to training app by our partners at GH Training
e-newsletters with news from across the charity

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Tough Mudder South West

Kerry Waite — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Take on Tough Mudder’s flattest course of 2026 and fundraise for Winston’s Wish

New to Tough Mudder? Start here. This is the flattest course of the season, ideal for first-timers, but don’t let that fool you. Set in the rugged beauty of the South West countryside, it’s still every bit a Tough Mudder. Expect twisting woodland trails, thick mud pits, and classic obstacles designed to test your grit. It’s the perfect blend of scenic and savage.

There’s even kids adventure courses too – packed full of obstacles to give children aged 4-14 years the chance to work as a team and get muddy.

Registration fee: 5K £83.96 | 15K £106.27 | Kids spartan (4-14 years) £23.60

Distance: 5K | 15K | Kids by Spartan 1K, 1.5K and 3K

Minimum sponsorship: no target, raise what you can.

With the most innovative 5K & 15K courses and millions of participants worldwide to date, it is you, your teammates and muddy strangers working together to conquer the course and earn the world-famous orange headband! Do you have what it takes to brave the Tough Mudder challenge?

Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK are merging to strengthen the support available for bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK. In the coming weeks, Winston’s Wish will change its name to Child Bereavement UK. By taking on the Tough Mudder South West you will still be raising money to support grieving children, young people and families, but the charity you will be fundraising for will be called Child Bereavement UK.

What you’ll get from us:

A welcome email and fundraising pack
A branded top to wear on the day
Support from our dedicated team to help you achieve your target
Additional fundraising resources upon request
Access to training app by our partners at GH Training
e-newsletters with news from across the charity

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Tough Mudder Midlands

Kerry Waite — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Take on one of the most technically difficult Tough Mudder challenges for Winston’s Wish!

You will be taking on one of our most technically difficult events on the calendar. All the obstacles are up-scaled for this event with a number of tweaks and surprises in store due to the varying (and muddy) terrain. The course route will take you through scenic views of Belvoir Castle, a number of killer hills and plenty of incredibly muddy tracks.

There’s even kids adventure courses too – packed full of obstacles to give children aged 4-14 years the chance to work as a team and get muddy.

Registration fee: 5K £100.69 | 15K £117.43 | Kids spartan (4-14 years) £23.60

Distance: 5K | 15K | Kids by Spartan 1K, 1.5K and 3K

Minimum sponsorship: no target, raise what you can.

Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK are merging to strengthen the support available for bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK. In the coming weeks, Winston’s Wish will change its name to Child Bereavement UK. By taking on the Tough Mudder Midlands you will still be raising money to support grieving children, young people and families, but the charity you will be fundraising for will be called Child Bereavement UK.

What you’ll get from us:

A welcome email and fundraising pack
A branded top to wear on the day
Support from our dedicated team to help you achieve your target
Additional fundraising resources upon request
Access to training app by our partners at GH Training
e-newsletters with news from across the charity

The post Tough Mudder Midlands appeared first on Winston's Wish Events.

Tough Mudder Scotland

Kerry Waite — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Take on this scenic but savage Scottish Tough Mudder challenge for Winston’s Wish!

Tough Mudder returns to Hopetoun Estate in 2026 (just outside Edinburgh) with a course that’s as scenic as it is savage. You’ll tear through woodland trails, splash along the shores of the Firth of Forth, and grind your way over gentle climbs and descents with obstacle-packed action from start to finish. Whether you’re taking on the 15K or the 5K, this is a route that delivers challenge, variety and views for days.

There’s even kids adventure courses too – packed full of obstacles to give children aged 4-14 years the chance to work as a team and get muddy.

Registration fee: 5K £100.69 | 15K £117.43 | Kids spartan (4-14 years) £23.60

Distance: 5K | 15K | Kids by Spartan 1K, 1.5K and 3K

Minimum sponsorship: no target, raise what you can.

Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK are merging to strengthen the support available for bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK. In the coming weeks, Winston’s Wish will change its name to Child Bereavement UK. By taking on Tough Mudder Scotland you will still be raising money to support grieving children, young people and families, but the charity you will be fundraising for will be called Child Bereavement UK.

What you’ll get from us:

A welcome email and fundraising pack
A branded top to wear on the day
Support from our dedicated team to help you achieve your target
Additional fundraising resources upon request
Access to training app by our partners at GH Training
e-newsletters with news from across the charity

The post Tough Mudder Scotland appeared first on Winston's Wish Events.

Tough Mudder London South

Kerry Waite — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Take on Tough Mudder London South in 2026 for Winston’s Wish

Get ready to get filthy at Tough Mudder London South – set in the wild, wooded terrain of Holmbush Estate, just outside London. Take on the 5K or 15K course packed with 12+ or 20+ obstacles with the added challenge of knee-juddering hills, natural mudslides, and gravity-defying climbs and crawls. Earn your headband, medal, and finisher tee, then dive into the festival vibe of Mudder Village with music, food, and that well-deserved celebratory drink. Gather your team, test your limits, and see if you’re muddy enough for London South.

There’s even kids adventure courses too – packed full of obstacles to give children aged 4-14 years the chance to work as a team and get muddy.

Registration fee: 5K £95.12 | 15K £111.84 | Kids spartan (4-14 years) £23.60

Distance: 5K | 15K | Kids by Spartan 1K, 1.5K and 3K

Minimum sponsorship: no target, raise what you can.

Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK are merging to strengthen the support available for bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK. In the coming weeks, Winston’s Wish will change its name to Child Bereavement UK. By taking on the Tough Mudder London South you will still be raising money to support grieving children, young people and families, but the charity you will be fundraising for will be called Child Bereavement UK.

What you’ll get from us:

A welcome email and fundraising pack
A branded top to wear on the day
Support from our dedicated team to help you achieve your target
Additional fundraising resources upon request
Access to training app by our partners at GH Training
e-newsletters with news from across the charity

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Inflatable 5K Cheltenham

Kerry Waite — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Take on an inflatable 5K obstacle course for Winston’s Wish!

Get ready to jump, bounce, slide and swing through the World’s biggest and craziest Inflatable 5k Obstacle Course!

Taking place at Cheltenham Racecourse, tackle a brilliantly bouncy inflatable assault course that’s suitable for the whole family or group of friends to enjoy.

Tickets available for adults (16 years plus) and children (5-15 year olds) with a discount for family’s (2 adults and 2 children).

Registration fee: Adult £29.50 | Child £24.50 | Family £100

Distance: 5K

Minimum sponsorship: there is no target, just raise what you can. Every penny will help make a difference to the children and young people we support.

If you’d like to take part please book directly via the organiser’s website below.

Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK are merging to strengthen the support available for bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK. In the coming weeks, Winston’s Wish will change its name to Child Bereavement UK. By taking on the Inflatable 5K you will still be raising money to support grieving children, young people and families, but the charity you will be fundraising for will be called Child Bereavement UK.

What you’ll get from us:

A welcome email and fundraising pack
A branded top to wear on the day
Support from our dedicated team to help you achieve your target
Additional fundraising resources upon request
Access to training app by our partners at GH Training
e-newsletters with news from across the charity

There are lots of inflatable 5Ks across the country for you to take part in, see the organisers website for more details.

Click here for more details

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Summer Wolf Run

Kerry Waite — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 23:00:00 +0000

This summer take on the infamous Wolf Run Mud Sucker obstacle and fundraise for Winston’s Wish.

The Summer Wolf Run takes place at one of the most epic venues the UK has to offer. It has all the ingredients for the ideal off-road obstacle course coupled with a buzzing event village to enjoy with your friends and family whilst fundraising for Winston’s Wish.

Set in the grounds of the striking Stanford Hall estate, Leicestershire, wild springs and dense woodland make this course both beautiful and challenging. Intricate trails, lakes and streams are combined with impressive man made structures to provide you with a full body work out. The infamous Mud Sucker obstacle is the highlight for many Wolf Runners… drawing out the pack support mentality in all.

Taking place over the Saturday and Sunday, with the Trails and the Junior runs for 7-17 year olds on the Sunday.

Distance: 10k | 5k | Juniors (7-17 years) 3K and 6K | Trail 3K, 5K and 10K

Minimum sponsorship: there is no target, just raise what you can. Every penny will help make a difference to the children and young people we support.

Click below to sign up through The Wolf Run website.

Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK are merging to strengthen the support available for bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK. In the coming weeks, Winston’s Wish will change its name to Child Bereavement UK. By taking on the Summer Wolf Run you will still be raising money to support grieving children, young people and families, but the charity you will be fundraising for will be called Child Bereavement UK.

What you’ll get from us:

A welcome email and fundraising pack
A branded top to wear on the day
Support from our dedicated team to help you achieve your target
Additional fundraising resources upon request
Access to training app by our partners at GH Training
e-newsletters with news from across the charity

The post Summer Wolf Run appeared first on Winston's Wish Events.

Running for Dad: Why Helen is running the Great North Run for Winston’s Wish

Emma Rawle — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:12:00 +0000

Running for Dad: Why Helen is running the Great North Run for Winston’s Wish

On 7th September, Helen will be running the Great North Run for Winston’s Wish with a picture of her dad on her vest. He died when Helen was just nine and he was a keen runner. Inspired by her dad, Helen decided to run to raise money to ensure other grieving children can get support from Winston’s Wish. The support that nine-year-old Helen needed.

Helen tells us all about her inspiration for running the Great North Run, why she choose to support Winston’s Wish and her experience as a bereaved child:

I had read about Winston’s Wish online, and the first time I came across their webpage, I sobbed! Proper sobbed my heart out! Because there was someone, someone out there for the broken nine-year-old that lives inside of me. Children who were experiencing my kind of grief were able to receive compassionate support at Winston’s Wish. I now knew who I would run a race in memory of my dad for. I had my charity!
Helen

What inspired you to run the Great North Run?

“I idolised my dad; we were the best of pals. We did lots of outdoor activities together, one of which was running. Dad was a fell runner, and on practice nights with the local association, we’d run around the town green as he warmed up for his fell run. I’d struggle to keep up, but he’d encourage me. I can still see him smiling down at me now, running alongside.

“I remember watching the first London Marathon with Dad, and him telling me how fantastic it was and that one day he would like to run a big city race.

“It has been in my mind since my dad died that I have wanted to run a race to make him proud of his daughter. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve tried to learn to run; there’s been many, many failed attempts. In the Spring of last year, I’d been listening to the Chris Evans Breakfast show, and their team had just completed the London Marathon. Their enthusiasm for running made me download the Couch-to-5k app and have a bash at this running lark one final time!”

I’m filled with nervous excitement for the Great North Run, my Running with Dad part 2, but I know it will be a privilege to run this iconic race with dad’s photo on my Winston’s Wish vest and with him in my heart too, chugging round the course for the deserving young people who are supported by the work of Winston’s Wish.
Helen

Why did you choose to support Winston’s Wish?

“I had read about Winston’s Wish online, and the first time I came across their webpage, I sobbed! Proper sobbed my heart out! Because there was someone, someone out there for the broken nine-year-old that lives inside of me. Children who were experiencing my kind of grief were able to receive compassionate support at Winston’s Wish. I now knew who I would run a race in memory of my dad for. I had my charity!”

“On a dark November day in 1981, my world changed forever. Nine-year-old me came down the stairs bleary-eyed to a house full of close family. In my heart, I knew there was something massively wrong. Mum told me my dad was dead, and I wouldn’t see him again.

“He had been killed by a drunk driver. I can remember that moment like it was yesterday, and it still takes my breath away even when I think about it now, forty-four years on. It is branded into my heart, and every time I recollect it, I feel the pain in my chest from the catastrophic shock of that day. The next week, my brother and I were back at school, and we were just expected to cope.

“When you’ve lost a parent, everything really does fall apart. My childhood was filled with worry and anxiety about things kids shouldn’t have to worry about. Mum was depressed and struggling to function.

“Days out didn’t feel right, holidays felt lonely as I looked on at other families with both mum and a dad having fun. Christmas was sad. New Year was worse, another one without him. There was a massive hole that couldn’t be filled. I also lost my only sibling, my nineteen-year-old brother, when I was twenty-two.

How has training been going and are you looking forward to the Great North Run?

“I’m not going to lie to you, learning to run and now training for the Great North Run is the hardest physical thing I’ve done in my life. When it’s got really tough dad’s spirit has encouraged me on and I’ve thought of all the young people who need help.

“In training for Winston’s Wish, I have pushed myself to my absolute limit. But I am pushing myself for that grieving child that still resides inside of me. And with every step of every training run, that nine-year-old girl within is healed a little bit more.

“I’m filled with nervous excitement for the Great North Run, my Running with Dad part 2, but I know it will be a privilege to run this iconic race with dad’s photo on my Winston’s Wish vest and with him in my heart too, chugging round the course for the deserving young people who are supported by the work of Winston’s Wish. And as I raise my arms as I cross the finish line, I will feel incredibly lucky.”

To follow Helen’s journey ahead of her Great North Run, take a look at her dedicated Just Giving page.

Feel inspired?

Has Helen’s Great North Run challenge inspired you? Put your best foot forward and join Team Winston in 2025 or 2026!

With hundreds of events happening across the UK and throughout the year, you can choose a challenge that matches your pace.

Run for Winston’s Wish

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