We are delighted to announce that Leighton Fun Runners (LFR) have raised an amazing £11,055.37!
In March 2025, Leighton Fun Runners chose Beat SCAD as the club’s annual charity and the brilliant club members have spent the past year making cakes, turning up to events, buying raffle tickets, donating prizes and yes, running, for Beat SCAD. Stef Hrycyszyn (who had her SCAD in January 2025) was the Charity Co-ordinator, supported by her marathon running partner, Nic Dimmock (an LFR committee member), daughter Hannah and the whole LFR committee. Special mention to Ann Hopper, the previous Charity Co-ordinator, who helped Stef throughout the year.
LFR organised a range of charity fundraising activities over the year in Leighton Buzzard, namely: the Leighton 10k Race (pictured); a Quiz Night; an Awards Night raffle and Christmas Ho Ho Bingo run, alongside donations for post run slices of cake (very civilised!); donations collected by the Rotary Club Santa float walkers and a Summer BBQ run.
LFR also had several runners raise sponsorship money by participating in marathons across the year, including: Bryn Jenkins who ran the 2025 Brighton Marathon and Nic Dimmock, Gina Gurney and sister Emma Hibbins, who all ran the 2026 London Marathon.
There have been wonderful examples of generosity from within the Leighton Buzzard business community, and LFR and Beat SCAD wholeheartedly thank all the sponsors and donors. The LFR running community has also been amazing – throughout all the charity events and the cake nights, they have given their spare pennies (and more often pounds!) to help Beat SCAD.
Lastly, for Stef, this was more than just a fundraising effort: she wanted to raise awareness of SCAD within the local running community and among their wider group of family and friends. As uncommon as this condition is, the recognition that heart attacks may present in different ways, and to always advocate for yourself when you feel unwell and dismissed, may potentially be lifesaving.
Thanks to everyone who took part in the fundraising during the year, to Stef for co-ordinating it all and for inviting Trustees Sarah Coombes and Debbie Oliver to a cheque presentation earlier this month – it was fantastic to meet everyone and say thank you in person.
