I am running the London Marathon on the 23rd of April 2023 and dedicating the run to help raise money for EG Carters charities of the year. A local company, raising money for local causes, in and around our city, for our people.

The money raised will be split between Gloucester Samaritans and Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).

PAIN

The pain for training for a marathon, the tired muscles and blistered feet. The countless stretching to stop the soreness in calves and the hamstrings tightening up. Imagine the pain when crossing the finish line or even the next day after a very well-deserved sleep!

It is still no comparison to what thousands of people out there are going through mentally. Even here in our city. With people we know and love. The aching feeling of loneliness, emptiness. The sorrow they feel each day and the pain they carry with them, feeling like there is no-one to turn to. In their darkest moment, there are people who care. Who can make a difference. Whose voice can help. Who can save lives.

Samaritans is a unique charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide.

Every six seconds they respond to a call for help.

Every year, they answer more than 5 million calls for help by phone, email, SMS, letter, face to face at one of their local branches and through their Welsh language service.

They are there 24/7, before, during and after a crisis.

Whether it’s an ‘are you ok?’ at just the right moment, or the midnight support of a trained volunteer; whether it's better training in the workplace or campaigning for more investment in national and local suicide prevention – They are there.

The charity works to make sure there’s always someone there, for anyone who needs someone.

Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide.

https://www.samaritans.org/branches/gloucester/

IN TOO DEEP

If one of you saw someone in danger on the River Severn, who comes to the rescue?

When a dog-walker gets into trouble along a local canal or river, who risks their lives to save the dog and owner?

When a confused and elderly person goes missing in Gloucester Docks, who helps with the search?

If children are playing on the sandbanks of the River Severn, who comes and collects them and delivers them safely to the shore?

The answer to these questions is SARA, the Severn Area Rescue Association. It is SARA – not the RNLI – that provides Gloucestershire’s lifeboat search-and-rescue service, operating in some of the most dangerous and challenging waters in the UK, as well as on local rivers, canals, lakes and docks. They also provide a local and national flood rescue capability.

SARA depends totally upon the goodwill of individuals and organisations large and small for its funding. They are all unpaid volunteers and are committed to maintaining a rapid and effective response to anyone whose life is in danger in our operating area. Fundraising to pay for the training and equipment that they need – and to meet our day-to-day running costs – is an ever-increasing challenge, and the support of our local communities is vital to keep us going.

https://www.sara-rescue.org.uk/

For any questions on how the money raised will be distributed or for further information please contact:

janjackson@egcarter.co.uk – Human Resources

https://egcarter.co.uk/