Background to Run-Well charity — REAL IELTS EXAM TEST 17 — IELTS Test

REAL IELTS EXAM TEST 17

Background to Run-Well charity

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(0:02) Now turn to section 2. (0:09) Section 2. (0:11) You will hear a talk about Runwell, a charity that raises money by organising running races. (0:20) First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 17. (0:44) Now listen to the first part of the talk and answer questions 11 to 17.
(0:53) I'm very pleased to have this opportunity to tell you something about the Runwell charity and the work we do. (1:02) I'll give a brief overview of what we do and I hope you may be able to help and (1:08) then there'll be time for questions at the end. (1:12) Runwell's founder, Mike Hughes, took up long-distance running in (1:17) 1987, raising money by doing sponsored half marathons and (1:21) in 1992 (1:24) established the charity as we know it today.
(1:27) By (1:28) 1997 the runs were being filmed by local TV and (1:33) today they appear on national TV every year. (1:37) All the funds collected by Runwell go to the hospital, (1:41) with the idea that those fit enough to run use their energy to assist the provision of people who are unwell (1:48) for whatever reason. (1:51) Now if you want to race, and I assume that's why many of you are here, (1:56) let me explain a couple of the basics.
(2:01) Races are run by teams, so you need to form and register a team. (2:07) What you wear to run in is up to you, and I know some teams come up with some pretty wacky ideas. (2:14) We have a standard design for your numbers, which we ask you to reproduce, (2:21) so you make them up according to that standard.
We don't want to spend valuable funds on doing that ourselves.
(2:28) Now the races run as a kind of relay, so while you won't actually compete side-by-side, (2:35) we do recommend that you train as a group. This helps to optimise performance and build team spirit.
(2:42) It will also give you a fair idea of how much you need to eat and drink over the race distance. (2:50) This is clearly essential for an effective performance, (2:54) so please make sure you come along to the race with sufficient food and drink. (2:59) Again, we don't spend money on providing that, (3:03) but you do need to keep yourself going for the 20km course.
(3:08) The course goes through the town, then out through Highfield Park, (3:13) concluding in the main square, where the applauding spectators will be ready to greet you. (3:20) There are many different prizes, including oldest runner, youngest runner, (3:27) team with the most sponsorship, team with the best costume. (3:31) That one's donated by Zoom Fashions.
(3:34) The Mayor will introduce the Minister for Health, who will hand over each prize to the winners, (3:40) and then the Hospital President will make a short speech. (3:47) Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 18 to 20. (4:08) Now listen and answer questions 18 to 20.
(4:15) Okay, that's the big race, (4:18) but I know there are many people who don't feel they are up to running a 20km race, (4:24) but who would nevertheless like to raise money for RunWell. (4:29) Over the years, we've had experience of many ways of trying to collect money, (4:34) some very successful, others less so. (4:38) Now, of course, 20km is too far for children to run, (4:42) but there was a sponsored swimming event at the local school last year, and that did very well.
(4:49) People have also tried to organise food-based events, (4:53) such as selling homemade cakes and bread and so on at the market, (4:57) and there was a large picnic arranged in Fawbright Gardens, (5:02) although these events failed to justify the efforts put into them, (5:06) though I'm sure they were very tasty. (5:09) These days, so many people are out at work all day (5:12) that going from house to house to collect money isn't very effective, (5:17) but it is possible to raise useful funds by selling small promotional items, (5:22) such as badges with the RunWell motif on them. (5:26) We're currently checking to see if postcards, (5:29) perhaps showing the race's winners each year, (5:32) might also be a good idea or not.
(5:35) We do appreciate the efforts that have gone into selling second-hand goods, (5:40) but to be honest, the returns have not been very high on this. (5:44) One very dedicated group organised a team quiz recently, (5:48) which went very well, and it would be good to see more such activities. (5:53) There's also been talk of a concert, (5:55) but we'll have to see how plans for that progress.
(5:59) Now, are there any questions at this stage? (6:05) That is the end of section two. (6:08) You now have half a minute to check your answers.

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