A number of Imps fans are raising money for the Lincoln City Foundation by running in the city’s annual 10K race on Sunday, April 14.
Gary Hutchinson, 45, is the owner of the fan-led blog and podcast ‘The Stacey West’, and is one of those fundraising for the club’s charity arm.
He said: “I wouldn’t run it for any other charity. It’s nice to do something for the local community. It’s a charity that helps those who you walk past everyday.”
‘The Stacey West’ has raised more than £1,300 so far, smashing their original target of £400. The total is already over 300% of what they originally set out to raise.
“My visit to the Foundation was an eye opener, meeting people delivering different projects and those impacted by it. I met people who struggle day to day that the Foundation helps,” Gary added.
It will be the fourth time Gary has run the City of Lincoln 10K, after first completing the run dressed as Lincoln mascot ‘Poacher the Imp’ in 2004.
Gary and fellow City supporters and Stacey West podcasters, Charlie Beeston, Chris Laming and Ben Ward, are just four of the 20 participants raising money for the Lincoln City Foundation at the city’s 10K.
He added: “I started running two years ago, before that I hated it. But, I had a bit of a health scare so got into running. It turns out I’ve got a bit of a reputation for running now.”
Gary told the story of how the fundraiser came about, saying: “The Foundation contacted me and asked if I would be interested in helping to get the message out there about what they do.”
The Foundation, which dedicates programmes to helping the local community, is an official charity partner of this year’s City of Lincoln 10K.
Alice Carter, head of Healthier Communities at Lincoln City Foundation, said: “Lincoln 10k is a fantastic event for the city and we are delighted to be a charity partner this year. We have over 20 runners taking on the 10k challenge and running for Lincoln City Foundation, and we are incredibly thankful of all their training and fundraising efforts.”
“The funds raised will help us to continue to provide opportunities that impact people’s physical, social, and mental wellbeing, sustaining our current programmes and helping to develop new community initiatives,” she added.
Readers can donate to the ‘Stacey West Blog’ fundraiser on their Just Giving page.
Pictured in the featured image, from left to right: Charlie Beeston, Ben Ward, Gary Hutchinson and Chris Lamming