Cambridge Muslim Scout Group cheer on Cambridge Half Marathon Runners

The Charity were delighted when twenty children and their leaders from the Cambridge Muslim Scout Group, along with students from the Cambridge University Islamic Society, gathered in the Bistro at the Hospice.

They kindly came together to create vibrant banners to cheer on the participants of the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon, many who will be running to support people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end of life care.

The Scout Group and students from the Cambridge University Islamic Society brought along recycled cardboard, while Hannah Touhey, Voluntary Services Manager, provided a variety of craft materials. The children, aged between 8 and 10, were highly engaged as they listened attentively to Sophie Marriage, Corporate Partnerships Officer, who explained more about the upcoming race.

The scouts were excited to learn that 13,000 people run in the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon and nearly 100 runners will be taking part for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. Sophie also displayed the green branded vests that #TeamArthur runners will be wearing as they make their way through the streets of Cambridge on Sunday 9 March, which some of the scouts took as inspiration for their designs.

The students from the Cambridge University Islamic Society divided the scout group into teams and supported them in creating bright, bold, and unique banners and signs. It was wonderful to see the students interacting with the scouts, coming up with positive messages to encourage and inspire our amazing #TeamArthur runners to keep going.

The students also brought along snacks for everyone and helpfully supported the clean-up at the end of the session.

Sophie commented:

“It was a joy to see the children being so innovative and creating bright banners with supportive messages for #TeamArthur’s amazing runners. A huge thanks to CUIsoc and the Muslim Scout Group for all their enthusiasm and support in organising the evening.”

Throughout the evening, there were engaging discussions with the Scout Leaders, parents and students from the Cambridge University Islamic Society about the services provided by the Charity.

Topics included ideas on how to strengthen ties with the local people including the South Asian community. Conversations also touched on the challenges to fund hospice services and community engagement, as well as how we can collaborate further and make people more aware of the services we offer, such as the Sanctuary and food tailored to individual preferences.

One of the Scout Leaders shared that his father had recently received support from our nurses and discussed how vital it is for families to understand the full range of services we provide across Cambridgeshire.

Another leader mentioned how his father would greatly benefit from the Living Well Service, prompting a conversation about the importance of raising awareness within the community.

Following these discussions, the Scout Leaders agreed to continue building the relationship with the Charity by getting more involved in activities with the children and their families.

Additionally, the students from the Cambridge University Islamic Society expressed a strong interest in collaborating further, with plans to use Arthur’s Shed and the Bistro. Many of the students also expressed a desire to volunteer with the Charity.

The session ended with a photo of the scout group and Cambridge University Islamic Society proudly showing off their signs and banners, cheering ‘Go Team Arthur’ followed by the scouts pledge and prayer.

Sophie, thanked the group for the support and explained how the banners will be used by the cheer squads in the ‘green walls’ at mile 2.8 and mile 12 along the route, which the scouts and the Cambridge University Islamic Society were invited to join.

Can you support our amazing #TeamArthur TTP Half Marathon runners? Join us outside the Mitre Pub on Bridge Street or Arundel House Hotel on Chesterton Road, on Sunday 9 March 2025 to cheer on all those taking part.

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If you would like to volunteer to support Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, please email volunteer@arhc.org.uk or fundraising@arhc.org.uk