Going a long, long, long way for Carers MK

 

A new sports season is just starting (well the races and competitions are, because the training never stopped J) and this year I’m really excited; not just because of all the events I have planned, but because this year I have the honour and pleasure to be raising money for one of the local charities that provides a great service to society: Carers MK.

 

Carers MK exists entirely to support and promote the wellbeing of unpaid family Carers.  They support Carers of all ages and in different caring roles, including young Carers, parents of children with a physical or learning disability, older Carers, Carers from the black and minority ethnic community and those looking after someone with mental health problems, www.carersmiltonkeynes.org

 

 

At this small, local charity, staff are funded by Milton Keynes Council to provide a service to carers, but other things that carers really need and have proven extremely beneficial, such as  counselling to cope with the emotional impact of caring, training on aspects of caring and social events and activities, are largely funded by donations. A lot of the carers who contact Carers MK, have reached a crisis point in their life and really need the support and services they offer – one carer described the charity as ‘a lifeline’.

 

I just would like you to spend 10 seconds to think “that is something that could happen to me”, because anyone can become a carer sometimes literally overnight – the birth of a child with special needs, your partner suffering a stroke, your parent suffering from dementia…   It is not something you planned. And it turns your life around.   Just think that you have the opportunity to help others and be part of raising funds for a worthwhile charity, one that you too may need one day, as 1 in 4 of us will become a carer at some point in our lives, and many more of us will know someone who is. 

 

So, what can we do?. We can do a lot of things and really help carers. For example, I have a lot of challenges lined up

 

 

MK Half Marathon (13miles)        à         10 March         (www.mkhalf.co.uk)

MK Marathon (26 miles)             à         6 May              (http://mkmarathon.com)

North Downs Way (50 miles)       à         18 May           (http://www.centurionrunning.com/north-downs-way-50-2013/ndw50)

The Wall Ultra Run (65 miles)      à         22 June          (http://www.thewallrun.com)

 

 

(That’s if my legs can do it,  -  in my heart and head I’m willing.)  I also will try 100 miles in November, but this is still just in my mind J)

 

All you need to do is speed on my way in these challenges, please donate now and make a  real difference to carers.