Local News

04 November 2009 by Young Conseratives

Fun run raises thousands for local Richmond Charity

Richmond Park Conservative Future’s Halloween Charity fun-run was hailed as a “huge success” last Saturday after surpassing their target to raise £1000 for Girls Connect, a Richmond based charity which supports Aspergers/ High functioning Autistic teenage girls.

 
More than 70 local residents, including Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Zac Goldsmith, flocked to Richmond Park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to watch and partake in a 6km run through Richmond Park dressed in a variety of gaudy, gaunt and ghostly Halloween costumes.
 
Runners and spectators, including many of the members of Girls Connect then joined Zac for tea in the Richmond Hill Hotel, which kindly donated a room for a Halloween party afterwards.
 
Louise Vallis, founder of Girls Connect, said of the event;
 
“The girls loved the Halloween theme and were very excited to catch up with each other at a fun social event.  My thanks go to Richmond Park Conservative Future, and Zac Goldsmith for organising such a fantastic event.”
 
With the money raised from the event, Girls Connect has plans to run a number of free courses for their members, including painting therapy with a prominent local artist.
 

Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith added;
 
“Girls Connect provides girls with Aspergers, and more importantly their families, with vital support. There is no other organisation like it in the area, and it is therefore a real pleasure to be able to help Louise. I’m grateful to the Conservative Future members who arrange it.”
 
At the end of the event, Conservative Future Chairman Ben Mallet, dressed as a Pumpkin for the occasion, concluded;
 
“We all really enjoyed getting dressed up and doing our bit for the charity.  It’s a fantastic feeling to support this great cause, as well as having fun at the same time”
 
Ben Mallet established Richmond Park and North Kingston Conservative Future two years ago. It has since mushroomed into the biggest branch in England.
 
For details or to donate, visit http://www.justgiving.com/richmondparkcf/
For more information about 'Girls Connect', please check our parent charity website, www.metooandco.org.uk under 'Girls Connect'.

Please contact Louise if you have any queries such as joining as a member or to be on the mailing list as an interested professional. girlsconnect@hotmail.com