Story
As many people already know, I've struggled with my own issues with addiction and mental health, being supported by so many people & organisations over recent years. Lots of people also know that I ran the Great North Run last year and raised money for River Garden Auchincruive, a place that both saved and changed my life. I'll also be getting involved with some further fundraising activities for River Garden over the summer.
The next stage of my journey began in November 2022 when I was employed as Communications Coordinator for East Ayrshire Recovery Hub in Kilmarnock. It's a wonderfully empathetic & nurturing environment, one which promotes both recovery and all round wellbeing. It's an organisation who support many East Ayrshire folks on their recovery journey and I'm proud to be a member of the team.
East Ayrshire Recovery Hub is a new innovative project, supporting individuals with drug and alcohol issues. Providing hope, connection and identity by linking individuals with recovery support training and development within the local community providing clear pathways to progress, empowering individuals to lead a healthy and meaningful life.
The hub opened in August 2022 and has already become a valued service in the East Ayrshire recovery community. As a charity, having adequate resources provided is a challenge so any funds raised go direct into supporting people in recovery.
If you'd like to support the hub by making a small donation then all funds raised a greatly appreciated and funds will go directly into supporting people in recovery.
Last year I made a big song & dance about promoting my fundraising efforts and I realise that many people have already made donations. With this in mind, I won't be spamming people with requests for donations and will just include the link on my training updates. If people would like to donate then that is fantastic but I really don't want people to feel pressured into donating if they already have.
Now for the scary bit! I decided that after completing a half marathon last year that I should continue the journey and get a full marathon under my belt in 2023. One half of my family come from Oldham so the Manchester Marathon was the obvious choice! I've heard it's also one of the flattest marathons in the UK so I think I've made the right choice! I'll be travelling down to Manchester with my mum and sister Alice and they will be cheering me on along with some of my Oldham relatives :)
When training for the Great North Run last year I very much "winged it" and somehow got through it. I realised that this is very much more serious and that to complete the marathon I needed a much more structured training regime. So in October last year I joined my local running club, Troon Tortoises. It really has been the most wonderful experience and I've met lots of super fit folks who I'd also class as friends. I think that now I've got the running bug, along with the support of my fellow Tortoises, I'll keep running as long as my knees will take me!
Wish me luck and watch this space for my random training updates!
#troonarmy #thegrind #manchestermarathon #geordieracer
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