Running is a great way to keep fit and a fantastic way to fundraise for Northern Lights

Our offical Race Charity for 2012 is Northern Lights who give seriously ill children the unique experience of a very special holiday to meet Santa in Lapland.

On May 13th 1987, a small boy, who was only just 5 years of age, lost his fight against the dreadful disease of cancer with a brain tumour.  He had battled with the effects of this disease and its subsequent treatment for nearly two years of his very short life.  No one could realise at that time how significant his life would be in helping other seriously ill children enjoy a well-deserved holiday of a lifetime to Lapland.

The charity started in 1987 as the Christopher Johnson Fund and became Northern Lights in 2003.  They provide holidays for children, who are all suffering from life threatening diseases, giving a real boost to both them and their family members. 



The children, who are aged between 6 and 11, visit Lapland on a 4 or 5 day holiday to meet the big man himself and experience husky dog, snow mobile and reindeer rides as well as taking part in an Arctic Circle crossing ceremony.  All this happens in temperatures that can sometimes reach minus 20 degrees, but they still have fun in the snow and return more confident with a lot of stories to tell. To be involved in providing holidays for children who have to endure such unpleasant, but essential treatments for their illnesses, is an honour and Northern Lights will continue to work to ensure more children can take advantage of this wonderful experience.

May 13th 2012, exactly 25 years on, Northern Lights is the official race charity for the Cheshire Oaks Chester Half Marathon. We are looking for runners to support the charity and hope that selecting Northern Lights as your charity of choice and raising funds for them will spur you on during your training.

Support for you

If you would like to help provide these holidays for seriously ill children, please register for the race  and then send an email to info@northernlightscharity.org.uk:
• You'll get a t-shirt or vest from Northern Lights to wear when you take part in the race
• Northern Lights will provide you with a fund raising pack that will include information on the charity and a sponsor form
• Training hints and tips are available on our website
• Northern Lights will be there on the day to cheer you on!

We are pleased to be supporting such a worthy local cause.  Each year an amount from the race entry fees is donated to the official race charity. Our runners will also be invited to raise money and together we hope to raise in excess of £10,000 for Northern Lights.

Northern Lights enter their 25th year in 2012 and are looking forward to the celebrating this by raising £25,000 to take twice as many children on holiday. Check the totaliser to see how fundraising is going.

Guaranteed Places

These charities have Guaranteed Places for the Cheshire Oaks Chester Half Marathon. Contact the charity direct for details.

   Northern Lights                 Claire House         

If you are a charity interested in Guaranteed Places, please contact Janine for more details. 

Runners' Charities

Best of luck to all runners who are raising money for charities. Here are some of our runners' charities; if you are running to raise money for a charity that isn't listed then ask them the send a logo to Janine and she'll be happy to add them here.