Bristol 10KCOCO - official 2010 Bristol 10k charity
Comrades of Children Overseas (COCO) is a registered children’s charity which was founded by former Olympic athlete, Steve Cram in 2000. COCO aims to improve the lives of children living in poverty in the developing world through the provision of health and education initiatives. Currently COCO are working in Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Ghana.
COCO works with local communities at the grass roots level to ensure that our projects are needs centred, efficient and sustainable. We prefer to fund small projects that represent an investment in and a commitment to brighter futures for children, their families and their country whilst attempting to address global hindrances to development such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and gender inequality.
Education is a privilege enjoyed by many children in the UK but in countries like Tanzania, Kenya and Ghana poverty prevents children from attending school and accessing the education they so desperately need. In 2010 there are still over 23.6 million children (DFID) who are unable to attend school in Sub Saharan Africa and many others whose lives are blighted by the effects of HIV/AIDS and malaria. Education promotes better health, improved self-esteem and the development of skills that are essential for making a living in later life.
Isyka Alliah is 6 years old and lives in Tanzania. She lives with her mother and two sisters in 1 room which they rent. Isyaka attends a nursery school funded by COCO and walks over 30 minutes to get there each day. She will only be able to attend primary school if funding can be found to pay for her uniform, books and pencils. If one person can raise £100 in sponsorship by taking part in the Bristol 10k it will mean that Isyaka can attend primary school in Tanzania for 3 years.
COCO have an official running team, TeamCOCO and we’d love you to run in support of us in the Bristol 10k. To run for COCO you can enter online by clicking here (don’t forget to tick that you want to run for COCO!) or you can contact
laura@coco.org.uk or call 0191 261 7427. To find out more information about COCO and our projects please visit www.coco.org.uk.
Charity collections
If you plan to run and collect money for charity at the race from members of the public, you will need to obtain permission from Bristol City Council Licencing Office in order to do so.
Application forms are available either in hard or electronic copy from the Licensing Office, Princess House, Princess Street, Bristol BS3 4AG, contact telephone number 0117 9142500 or via email to licensing@bristol.gov.uk.
Applicants will be required to provide some form of authorisation from the charity which demonstrates they are entitled to collect on the charities behalf. The purpose being to ensure that bogus collectors are not able to obtain permits for their own private gain. There is no fee associated with the application process however once a permit has been issued the promoter is required to submit an account detailing the amount of money raised, amounts deducted for expenses and the contribution given to the charitable cause within 3 months of the date of the collection. Failure to provide an account may jeopardise the granting of any future permits for that particular charity.
runbristol official charities
Charities are appointed on a 2 year basis. Runbristol will be looking for a national charity partner for the half marathon in Autumn 2010 (for 2011 & 12) and a new local charity partner for the 10k and half marathon in Autumn 2011 (for 2012 & 13).
Information on how to become an official runbristol charity partner will be posted on the race website on the Charity page after the half marathon in that year - so please check the site regularly after that time.
