I’m running my first ever marathon on 19th May, and will be raising money for North Somerset Citizens Advice. If you can spare £1, £5, or even just £10 that would be really appreciated! 

Why Citizens Advice? As a free, confidential, and independent advice service the work they do helping everyone and anyone manage a wide range of different issues is truly fantastic. Be it debt, benefit, housing, cancer support or employment, Citizens advice will try and help where it can. 

Why North Somerset? Having previously worked as a volunteer gateway assessor for the service, I have seen first hand the positive impact the service has in the local community. Last year alone they:

Currently, the service is due to be moving in the near future, after 13 years based at the Badger Centre, in the centre of Weston-super-Mare. As a consequence, to continue running a good service they will certainly need additional funding to ensure that the transition to the new building goes smoothly, to which end this money should help!

Like a lot of Citizens Advice, it also relies heavily on voluntary staff to keep the place running smoothly, and with this comes costs.  If they were to pay their volunteers for the hours they contribute it would cost over £300,000 each year. 

Any money that you can spare will therefore go a really long way in helping the service continue to support local communities across North Somerset. 

What makes this marathon so special? This will be my first ever marathon, having previously run several half marathons. The race
itself will be around Lake Windermere and the surrounding area - so it won’t be the flattest of courses, but it does boast over 500 spectating sheep (see info) 

Physically it is going to be a real challenge, but to know that I’m doing something positive for the service back in Weston I hope will make things easier. I’ve never run for a charity before, so anything you can spare will be greatly appreciated. All money raised will go to the charity. 

Thank you in advance! 

Peter