Beckton hospice fundraisers to race their way around Westfield Stratford City

Melissa York, Reporter Thursday, April 12, 2012
11:55 AM

Orienteering is coming to Stratford as over 100 people navigate their way around an empty shopping centre for charity.

The sport, usually played in rural settings, will be played this Sunday (April 15) in Westfield Stratford City to raise money for Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton.

Opening out of hours, competitors will have to race their way around all four floors and outdoor areas of Europe’s largest shopping centre in 45 minutes, visiting as many of the sites on their map as possible.

Westfield is working with Josh Jenner Orienteering, to be the first mall to host an indoor event of this kind.

Organiser Josh Jenner said: “We’re all really excited to be putting on an event like this.

“It’s bringing a sport which is typically set in the countryside or in forests to the heart of the city.

“And with the backdrop of the Olympic site, it’s going to be a truly inspiring event.”

Jenner hopes the event will attract new people to the sport, as he said: “This isn’t just an event for orienteers, it’s for anyone who wants to take on a new challenge.

“The event has been planned to be accessible to both experienced orienteers and complete novices. Everyone is going to have fun running around the empty shopping centre.”

Entrants will have to register at www.fabian4.co.uk and pay an entry fee of £7.50, £2 of which will be donated to Richard House who support children, and their families, with life-limiting illnesses.

Children under the age of 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult.