Job done in 3 hours, 32 minutes and 38 seconds!
I was on for a personal best time but fell short by 90 seconds after my legs suddenly went during mile 23 and I had to walk-run the remainder. The heat didn't help but the crowd did - I got a huge cheer each time I managed to get running again. And I beat Joe Pasquale...
There is still time to make a donation! In doing so you will be helping Safe Ground to reduce the risk of criminal offending and reoffending through their rehabilitative work with prisoners and their families and community projects aimed at promoting greater social cohesion.
Marc says:
I became aware of Safe Ground’s work when, along with a group of local older adults, I attended a performance by prisoners at a Young Offenders’ Institution (HMYOI Deerbolt, County Durham) last year.
This was the culmination of a community project that had brought together these two groups (the older adults and the young prisoners ) to share and compare their respective experiences of the last World War and of imprisonment, and to then consider the effects of each on individuals, families and communities. The two groups had also shared their preconceptions of each other and then later reflected upon how the experience had led to a greater empathy and understanding between them. Additional performances were given for fellow prisoners and the families of the performers.
The prisoners had clearly worked very hard to put together an impressive and moving performance on these themes that included original drama, poetry, songs and artwork. The older adults had never been into the prison that sits in the middle of their town, and it was a pleasure to be a witness to the warmth of the interactions between people who, without this project, would not have had the chance to meet in this way.
Many of these young men had to overcome anxiety and a severe lack of self-confidence in order to do this, and I was struck by their enthusiasm and commitment which, to me at any rate, showed the potential for positive change in people when given the right opportunities.
Please support this small and pioneering charity with a donation!
Full details of their work can be found at www.safeground.org.uk.
