Member for Cootamundra, Katrina Hodgkinson recently announced $4000 in NSW Government funding for the Cherry Chase as part of the 2014/15 Sport and Recreation Events Program.

Ms Hodgkinson said the grant will help boost participation in sporting activities in the area.

“I congratulate Young Shire Council on its successful application and look forward to the Cherry Chase in November.

Young Shire Council general manager Peter Vlatko said the council is very grateful for the NSW Government’s support of the event.

“The annual Cherry Chase Fun Run is organised by Young’s Youth Council as an affordable and fun community event,” he said.

“It encourages participation from members of the community both young and old with an emphasis on having fun and being active in the Cherry Capital!” 

Members of the Young Youth Council have been busy starting on preparations for the 2015 event.

Despite the weather over 540 runners – and walkers – took to the course in November last year.

This year the Youth Council are planning to advertise further afield and make it a regional event. 

“We are aiming for 1000 participants this year,” youth mayor Isaac Northcott said.

“We will be advertising around the state at different fun runs and other events to try to build the event and bring more people to town. 

“We learnt a lot last year and think the event can be bigger and better”.

It is the intention of the Youth Council to keep the entry costs the same in 2015, so that the event is affordable for everyone in the community.

The Youth Council have also decided $1 from every entry will be put towards purchasing outdoor fitness equipment for the community.

As with most community events the Cherry Chase would not be possible without the generous support of local sponsors. 

Members of the Youth Council have been busy over the past weeks contacting businesses to invite them to be part of this fantastic community event.

“The aim is to lock in our partners early this year so that we can organise and finalise our  advertising, get the word out the Cherry Chase 2015 is coming and provide the best advertising possible for the event and our supporters!” Northcott said.

“This year we have decided that we will give over naming rights to the event, the five kilometre and the 10 kilometre race to our main partners – and we have had some fantastic interest already. 

“It’s exciting that the community is so supportive of the event.”

If anyone would like to contact the Youth Council or their mentors about supporting the event in 2015 please send an email to info@cherrychase.com.au