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In 2019 I (Louise) fulfilled a lifetime ambition by walking the last stage of El Camino de Santiago, a feat I had been tempted to give up on due to a cancer diagnosis and treatment for the five years before. Even breaking my shoulder just months before the walk didn't stop me.  That challenge was a very personal one for me and not work related. But when my husband's employer offered £1000 in match-funding he decided to raise funds for Sharewear by his walk -- and totalled £2500.

Since then Sharewear Clothing Scheme has grown rapidly due to the increasing need for our service from those in clothing poverty. We've opened an extra branch outside of Nottingham,  in Sheffield,  and are about to roll out a network of franchises. In the first 12 months of the Corona Virus emergency alone, we supported over 20,000 people. 

In February 2021 we launched our campaign #noWeartorun, which looks at the direct links between clothing poverty and poor mental health or low levels of wellbeing. So in September of this year we are encouraging people to take part in a 13 mile challenge and raise funds for our vital work. Although Nottingham's iconic Robin Hood Half Marathon takes place that month, we acknowledge that running 13 miles in one go is not accessible to everyone. Whilst some of our Board members will be raising funds for us by  having a crack at the half marathon itself, we're inviting everyone else to #doityourway and cover 13 miles somehow over the course of the whole month. Whether you walk, cycle, swim, skate, wheel or run it -- you TOO can raise funds which will enable us to support those who literally have, and metaphorically feel like they have, no 'wear' to run. 

We're asking you to get sweaty in #Sweatember, but on YOUR terms. But how can we ask you do that without leading by example? We'll be walking 80+ miles all over again (the same distance as my Camino), but this time on the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness. The last leg, from Loch Laide to Inverness, is 13 miles and, although we will actually be on our last legs ourselves by then too, We've decided to  dedicate that day of walking to Sharewear's #Sweatember challenge. 

Why are we aiming for £1300? 

1. That figure will tax and insure both our Notts and Sheffield vans for a whole year, enabling us to reach more than 20,000 people in that time who need clothing support to function in life and to improve their mental health.

2. My fitness levels are only about half of what they were for the Camino, as leading Sharewear through a pandemic has been overwhelming and exhausting -- hampering my training efforts. By the time I walk this last leg of 13 miles, I'll already have walked 70 miles, and I am going to need a LOT of incentive not to give up. The thought of raising £100 per mile and running two vans for a whole year will get me across the line at Inverness! But of course, I couldn't achieve this without Steve dragging me along, every step of the way!

Thank you for reading! Please share this page even of you aren't able to donate.

My very best wishes,

Louise Cooke

Fonder, CEO and Head of Operations 

Sharewear Clothing Scheme