The Big Home Run 2012

The Big Home Run 2012 wants to see people from all over the capital raising money for St Mungo's by running to or from work during the Olympic and Paralympic Games to help the charity's work supporting homeless people to rebuild their lives.

St Mungo's supporter Seb Mayfield devised the Big Home Run 2012 event. He'll be fundraising by making one big home run from his office in Islington to his home in Winchester.

He said: "Transport in London is going to be really touch and go this summer throughout the duration of the Olympics and Paralympics so what better way to beat the crush than by getting fit and raising money for such a good cause. I've worked closely with St Mungo's gardening programme Putting Down Roots so have seen the value of their work and I'll be avoiding the congestion myself by running the 80 miles home to Winchester. I'm urging Londoners to join me and challenge themselves to hit a Big Home Run 2012 for homeless people this summer."

Russell Benson said: "When Seb explained the idea, it seemed a great way for individuals to get involved and support our work. We are asking people to run their usual commute to, or from, work during the Olympics and raise money through sponsorship from family, colleagues or friends.

"But people are free to set their own personal challenges and there are no limits! You don't have to run all the way home - you could run to the gym, run home from the tube or take a longer route home and walk. Because you set the challenge you can take part no matter what your level of fitness."

Participants can get involved in The Big Home Run 2012 in a wide variety of different ways, for example:

• Running a total of 26.2 miles during the Olympic period to complete a marathon distance
• Get together with housemates and all run to a chosen destination
• Hold an event at work before you all set off on your individual runs
• Try it in fancy dress

For further information or to sign up to The Big Home Run visit www.mungos.org/events/thebighomerun, call 020 8762 5582 or email events@mungos.org

Twitter - keep up to date with announcements or make contact with other runners at #BigHomeRun2012