Liverpool Unites raises £100,000 for the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund and will now continue to raise money and provide grants for local children’s charities and community groups

15th May 2009

HUNDREDS of runners pounded the paths of Croxteth Park to take part in the Liverpool Unites: Great Purple Run.
The sun shone on more than 500 people yesterday as they ran, jogged or walked the 5km course to raise cash for the ECHO’s children’s charity.
Rhys Jones’s father, Steve, and friends of the murdered 11-year-old showed their support, along with Eton Road’s Danny Morris.
Liverpool Unites mascot Robbie Ribbon met children and greeted fundraisers from across the country.

Families and even their dogs proudly sported Great Purple Run T-shirts, wearing the purple colour of the charity to show the strength of feeling against gun crime.
Liverpool Unites fundraiser Tom Woolley said some did a double take when they thought they saw Her Majesty The Queen – only to realise it was a good look-alike.
He said : “There was a superb atmosphere, it seemed like there were even more people taking part than last year.
“We had a rush on our purple Liverpool Unites T-shirts.
“The great thing was there was so many different people taking part – we had everything from families and their dogs, babies in prams and one 80-year-old lady who came dressed as the Queen.”
Rhys’s dad, Steve Jones, turned up to cheer on the entrants. He said: “It was fantastic to see so many people taking part again this year.
“Even though there is a recession, it was great to see people giving money to Liverpool Unites because it is vital for it to continue its good work.”
Helen Wilson, 34, Kirkby, said: “It’s important to increase the awareness of gun crime and fighting gun crime on the streets.
“The Great Purple Run is a fantastic way of increasing this awareness. It was great to be able to take part and support Liverpool Unites.”
Rose Holmes, 51, from Wirral, said: “I worked for Wirral Social Services and I am happy to contribute to the great fundraising work by Liverpool Unites.”
Roy Gronow, 55, Chester, of event sponsor Entwistle, said: “What a wonderful occasion for an excellent charity.”