RUN FAT BOY RUN

Hi, I’m Greg Walker, 49 yrs old. I live in Leicestershire with my amazing wife, we have two boys and between us have fostered sixteen babies.

In August 2021, I became a volunteer “Independent Visitor” for Leicestershire County Council and I was matched with an amazing young person. Since then, we’ve developed a real friendship. We have regular outings, mature conversations, lots of laughs and push each other to tackle new challenges.

The young person joined an amateur Boxing Club, Golden Gloves ABC in Braunstone and this has helped them become more independent, confident, improved their fitness and they now have great self-esteem. Having seen the amazing work that Golden Gloves ABC continues to do for my young person and others in the local community, I feel they deserve something back. The six volunteers provide multiple weekly training sessions which are open to all, travel nationally and internationally to enable young people to compete in amateur competitions and have encouraged many to improve their lives through sport, even having young members taken off medication as a direct result from improved mental health since joining the Club. The time and dedication the Club’s volunteers’ give is phenomenal.

Despite Golden Gloves ABC being in one of the most deprived areas of Leicester, it runs an open door policy and refuses to turn anyone away who wishes to attend despite funding being extremely difficult. The building needs serious attention and essential equipment needs replacing.

In an effort to raise funds, my young person suggested I run the Leicester Half Marathon and I couldn’t think of an excuse not to.

Since the end of the Covid pandemic I’ve lost 6 stone through being more active, and in February 2023, we both completed our first 5km Parkrun and we’ve continued to attend whenever we can. Having never run more than a Parkrun, the Leicester Half Marathon does seem a little daunting but if I can raise some funds and make some good come from my sweat and effort for Golden Gloves ABC then it will have all been worth it.

Please support me and give whatever you can to help this Club improve the lives of even more people. Thank you.