Paxman starts Crisis Square Mile Run

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman started the 20^th Crisis Square Mile Run at Paternoster Square, London on Thursday night.

The annual Square Mile Run and Relay events take place over two evenings – this year on 13 and 14 June.

On Wednesday teams of up to four people took part in a relay race, while the individual event, which traditionally draws more than 2,000 people, took place last night.

University Challenge host Paxman waved the starting flag and said: "I was delighted to start the 20^th Crisis Square Mile Run, which saw thousands of people racing through the City of London.

“The money they raise is ever more crucial as all forms of homelessness are on the rise across the capital and indeed the country - perhaps most visibly along this very route."

The six kilometre route takes in some of London’s most iconic landmarks and Crisis aims to raise £160,000 from the event to help single homeless people across the UK improve their lives. Each runner was asked to raise a minimum of £200.

All funds will go towards the charity’s work helping homeless and vulnerably housed people in London and throughout the UK. Almost 4,000 people slept rough at some point in the capital during 2010/11, a number which is still rising.

Since its beginnings in 1992 the event has raised well over £2 million for Crisis. The money has helped the charity continue to provide essential services to homeless and vulnerably housed people across the UK.