Hello!

A new year means a new challenge, this year in the form of the Hackney Half Marathon on Sunday 22nd May. This time, its different; the charity I am fundraising for, I also happen to volunteer at. The last 4 months of being a listening volunteer at the Central London Samaritans have been eye-opening: they are a lifeline to so many people, demonstrated by the fact that a life-changing call is answered every 7 seconds by the Samaritans. People are supported with all manner of challenges: from suicidal feelings and mental health difficulties, through relationship problems, to those wanting to simply get something off their chest. The Samaritans’ work truly matters. 

To give you an idea of what your donation could do:

• £10 could provide ongoing email support for someone struggling to cope;
• £20 could cover the cost of 5 calls for help;
• £40 keeps the branch open for an hour.

My fundraising aim this time is £450, but to make things slightly more interesting, I’m also setting myself the personal challenge of beating my half marathon personal best of 1:28. For every minute that I take off that, I’ll donate an extra £20. It’s an incentive to put the training hours in over the next month or so, and to do all I can to ensure maximum support for the Central London Samaritans. Please do consider donating - their cause is massive.