Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I have never run a half marathon before, and am keen to test myself and raise some money for charity in the process. The Edinburgh half marathon is on Sunday 26th May 2019, and I aim to complete it in under 2hrs. 

I am raising for Women's Aid Northern Ireland because these essential women's services are increasingly under threat. Women's Aid NI do not receive core governmental funding as happens in Scotland, and have recently lost the tender for the domestic abuse and sexual violence helpline to a non-specialist organisation. The impacts of this and the continued need for strong integrated responses to domestic abuse are compounded by the lack of a functioning local government in Northern Ireland, and may be further affected by Brexit related financial and social turmoil. 

Hence, Women's Aid NI are more in need than ever for core unrestricted funding and popular support. Any donations which are given through this page or directly to Women's Aid NI will help to tackle domestic and sexual violence, provide services for women and children, and to challenge attitudes and beliefs which perpetuate domestic violence.

https://www.womensaidni.org/  

Please show your support for these essential services and the women and children of Northern Ireland by donating, or fundraising yourself. 

Many thanks in advance,

Tom 

P.S. I will be running a 13.1km race on Sunday 7th April 2019 for the MS Trust in support of a close friend who has recently been diagnosed. Please feel free to support that race as well, you can access it here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-gardner7