Leeds Abbey Dash - Questions and Answers
This page set out the race rules, followed by an alphabetical list of other important details and frequently asked questions.
Race rules
In order to take part in this event, all entrants must agree to the race rules outlined below:
- Competitors must be at least 16 years of age.
- Participants enter the event entirely at their own risk. Help the Aged shall not be liable for any injury or loss occurring as a result of participation, other than death or personal injury resulting from the Charity’s negligence.
- Participants should be healthy and have no known medical conditions. Any participant unsure of their physical ability to take part in the race should receive medical advice from a GP prior to the event.
- Participants confirm by entry that their names, and any footage or photographs taken during the race, can be used to publicise the event and Help the Aged generally.
- Participants have a legal responsibility to ensure that all sponsorship monies/donations received by them for the Leeds Abbey Dash are paid to Help the Aged by 30 March 2009.
- Correct contact details for all participants must be provided in case of an emergency. Help the Aged may use these details to contact your home or office.
- All participants must write their name and details of any health problems or medication on the reverse of the race number, which must be worn on the front the participants t-shirt during the race.
- Stocks of t-shirts are limited. Therefore, if the size you have requested is not available, we will give you an alternative size.
- Entry fees will not be refunded, unless the event is cancelled.
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Can I enter on the day?
Unfortunately, Help the Aged is unable to accept any entries on the day of the race.
Emergency contact details
We ask all participants to provide emergency contact details, which are used by Help the Aged and the emergency services to ensure your safety on the day. We may use these details to contact your home, but only in the event of an emergency.
If you’re registering other people and don’t know their emergency details, we will use yours. However, our first port of call will be the back of runners’ running numbers, so every participant needs to put their emergency details on the back of their running numbers, as well as their name and details of any health problems or medication they are taking.
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Gift Aid
UK charities can reclaim 20 per cent tax from the Inland Revenue on donations made by UK taxpayers. For every £1 you donate as a taxpayer, we can claim 25p, increasing all of your donations by almost a third at no extra cost to you! All you need to do is tick the box on the form.
In each tax year you must pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax that Help the Aged reclaims on your donations (currently 20 per cent). You may end this arrangement at any time. Please let us know if you no longer pay enough tax (note that you may stop working but still be paying tax), if your name or address changes, or if you wish to cancel this declaration at any time.
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How can I find more details about race day?
Before race day, you will receive a race pack, containing your timing chip, race number and race booklet, which will have a map of the route and all the information you’ll need for the day. The event will feature regularly in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
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Resources to help you
We have lots of resources available to help you train and fundraise, including sponsorship forms, training tips and a sweepstake form. Visit our training and fundraising sections.
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Set yourself a sponsorship target
Your entry fee goes toward covering the costs of putting on the event, so we’re asking every runner to set their own fundraising target of at least £35.
To help kick start your fundraising, we have lots of resources to help you, including sponsorship forms, fundraising tips and a sweepstake form. Visit the resources section
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What if I make a mistake on the form?
You will have the option to edit your details once you reach the confirmation page. However, if you would like to amend any details after this point, please email dash@helptheaged.org.uk with the changes and include your confirmation email.
What if I stop halfway through?
If you stop halfway through and your session is timed out, your details will not be saved, so you will need to start from the beginning.
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What if my payment doesn’t go through?
Please make sure:
- you’ve got the billing address right – it should be the address where you receive your credit/debit card statements, which might be different to your home address
- your card has not expired
- you put in your card details correctly
If you have persistent problems getting your credit card to work, please call the Dash hotline number on 020 7239 1982.
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What is the Corporate Team Challenge?
The Corporate Team Challenge is an opportunity for colleagues to compete against other participants from the business world.
Prizes are awarded in this category based on the fastest three competing from each team.
The minimum number on a team is three, and there is no maximum number. The three best times in your team will be counted as your total time. Prizes are given for first men’s team, first women’s team and first mixed team.
It is very important that you write exactly the same team name as your colleagues, as we sort the names electronically – the addition of an extra “The” on the front of the team name could mean you are counted as a different team, so please be careful!
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Where does the money go?
This year, we are aiming to raise a whopping £200,000 from the Leeds Abbey Dash. All money raised goes to help disadvantaged older people in the Leeds and West Yorkshire area in need of our HandyVan service.
HandyVan is a unique home support service. Trained HandyVan fitters can install security equipment, change locks on doors and windows, and fit smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Find out more about how your contribution is making a difference to older people’s lives by securing their homes
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Why do we ask about where you work?
This allows us to build relationships with companies who have employees running the Leeds Abbey Dash. We won’t use your personal details in any way if we contact that company, but it’s really helpful information for us.
