As many of you know, I work for FareShare Midlands - a charity that redistributes surplus food from the food industry, that would otherwise go to waste, to frontline charity organisations who support vulnerable people.

This last year has been particularly difficult for us, with the pandemic causing the need for food to shoot through the roof. Thousands of people have either lost their jobs or received a lower income due to furlough, not to mention the toll it's caused on mental wellbeing- which is especially difficult for those already in vulnerable and stressful situations.

Despite this, our team of staff and volunteers went above and beyond. We've worked over time, opened new warehouses, learned how manage very practical jobs virtually, and most devastatingly worked through the loss of one of our dear colleagues, Billie Jo, who very sadly passed away to covid in March 2021. 

I'm running this marathon in Billie Jo's memory and admittedly to give myself a kick up the bum to get fit. This challenge is by no means going to be an easy feat. When I signed up (roughly 16 weeks before the event) I could just about manage 1 mile of continuously jogging. Bearing in mind a marathon is 26.2 miles I have a very long way to go! I've set myself a strict training plan and will do my very best to stick to it. Luckily I'll be running and training with my sister, Charlotte, who will be a huge help!

All your support will help keep us going and every pound raised will enable us to distribute four meals to people across the midlands.