Why I am running the London Marathon on Sunday 26th April 2015 for Emmaus.

The one resounding fact that stands out is that the well-being of society depends on the fate reserved for it's weakest members; the most disadvantaged among us i.e. the homeless, the destitute, the ostracised.

For 16 years as one of the homeless and destitute I did not have the opportunity to express myself and felt totally marginalised by mainstream society. All of the organisations and there are many varied, thought they could speak on my behalf, but they must have been reading from the same script. I found it nearly impossible to regain my status as a human being; the ignorance and prejudice of people was soul destroying, my faith in humanity and a caring society was shattered.

Emmaus is at the forefront of fighting homelessness and social exclusion and we should be proud of what we are doing. I don't want others to talk for me any more. I don't want the last 20 years to have been for nothing. The services provided by Emmaus have given me the vital stability and platform from which I can reintegrate back into society.

Emmaus has been my salvation, if I had not found Emmaus I would not be in this world anymore. So I have the race for my life.

Your sponsorship for me and Emmaus will change a socially excluded person into a fully contributing member of the human race.

Francis Mantle, Companion at Emmaus Gloucestershire.