Hi! I am taking on the challenge to run the London Marathon in October 2021 to raise money for SSAFA the Armed Forces charity. 

You might think - why would you do that? I was inspired by my Grandmother who volunteers for SSAFA to provide essential support to members of the Armed Forces that are going through a hard time. 

The work that she does, along with many others on behalf of the SSAFA charity, supports Veterans, Serving Members of the Armed Forces and their families with problems linked to mental wellbeing, financial hardship and the transition from being in the Armed Forces into Civilian life. 

SSAFA helps so many people every day and their help is only possible because of the generous donations that are received through fundraising events like this and also through the generosity of people like my Grandmother giving up their time to support the charity. 

One of the SSAFA stories is that of Bernie Broad. He was seriously injured by an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2009 which resulted in him losing both of his legs. He felt that he was no longer the person that he and everyone else wanted him to be. The transition into Civilian life was a huge challenge which affected both him and his family. With the support of SSAFA, he was able to make the transition back into Civilian life. SSAFA initially liaised with the local council to arrange for ramps to be installed around his home while he was in a wheelchair. Later, SSAFA provided a place to call home which was away from the rehabilitation centre and hospital. This was for both him and his wife to give them the much needed support and relaxed environment to be able to make a smooth transition into Civilian life. Thanks to SSAFA’s work, he is now able to live life to the full. 

I think that it is really important for SSAFA to be able to continue the amazing work that they do, and that is why I am going to be training hard, baking lots and getting myself around the 26.2 miles that is the London Marathon. I will have to dig deep to get all the way around as I have never run that distance before! 

I really hope that you can help me achieve my fundraising goal for SSAFA and I would truly appreciate any donation that you are able to give for this amazing cause. 

Thank you so so much for visiting my JustGiving page and for taking the time to read my story. 

Roxy