Hi All.

First of all, thank you for visiting this JustGiving page.

Back in 2020, during the dark times of Covid lockdowns, I decided to take up running.

As a then ‘non-runner’ I always saw running as either something I watched when the Olympics came on the TV or dismissed as other people’s activities and their mad quest for fitness.

But, as all other fitness activities and gyms closed during the pandemic, I set myself a target to get as fit as I possibly could get so that, if I should catch Covid, I would be able to fight it off and stay as fit and well as I possibly could. This is where running came in.

My husband Tim enjoys running as his fitness activity of choice. He has completed quite a few half marathons over the years. So, I asked him if he would/could coach me to do the couch to 5k. Up for the challenge, Tim agreed and the rest is history.

To date, I have completed a 10k challenge, the Gibbet Challenge, where I was so happy to not come last (I came 62^nd out of 74). And that was a challenge (Google search ‘Combe Gibbet’ to see exactly what I mean!).

So, here it is......

My very first Half Marathon.

Before that mad, hair-brained decision in 2020, I hadn’t run distance since I was at school (giving my age away, that’ll be early 80s) and, even then, that was under sufferance!! And if anyone would have told me that in 2022 I was going to compete in a half marathon, I would have laughed at them.

But, here I am, training and preparing to run my first half marathon with Tim!

The Half Marathon is Wokingham and is on Sunday 27th February.

As this is a monumental occasion for me, I decided to make it into a money spinner (I hope) and raise money for a charity close to our hearts.

Trindledown Farm is a small animal sanctuary in Great Shefford, just outside of Hungerford,. It is the most wonderful environment for animals that require care and are in need of a forever home. Trindledown is one of five of the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) centres and is the first and only centre of its kind to be purpose-built to accommodate elderly animals.

As an animal lover, Trindledown is one of my favourite places to visit. I
hope you will take the time to look at  their site and, if you have time or the inclination, pay them a visit. Another wonderful fact about them is that they have also helped people, especially those with mental health issues. A much loved family member of mine was able to spend time there, helping out and getting involved. And she agrees with me how wonderful the place is and that animals are the best therapy.

Thank you for getting this far. I appreciate the time you have taken reading this and I hope you are able to support me, and Tim, and what I believe is a worthy cause.

Kindest regards

Ali, and Tim

National Animal Welfare Trust is a Rescue and Rehoming charity; caring for and rehoming up to 1300 animals a year. We care for animals who find themselves homeless through no fault of their own, bring them back to good health, train them and finally find them a loving forever home. We never stop caring and are here as long as an animal needs us, offering continued support to everyone that rehomes a pet. Our mission is to promote responsible pet ownership throughout the UK so that one day every pet might have the responsible owner they deserve.