A team of enthusiastic supporters of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire will be taking on the streets of Peterborough to run a half marathon distance, in a bid to help secure a wilder future for our local area.

Every penny raised for the Wildlife Trust BCN will go into our Wilder Future Fund to support your local wildlife in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. By choosing to support the Wildlife Trust BCN, your run can make a big difference to nature and your local wild spaces.

🦡Meet Our Runners...

Get to know our runners and their stories...

Sophie

Hi, I’m Sophie, I am the Projects and Admin Assistant at the Beds office, but I get involved with all sorts of things across the Trust. I’ve been running since I was in my late teens and still try to get out a few times each week. Now I’m in my mid 40s I need my running just as much for my mental health, as my fitness – it’s my ‘me time’ and I often find myself designing meals or running through plans in my head whilst I’m out. I always run outdoors – come rain or shine – as there’s nothing better than a good blast of British weather to make you feel alive! I’ve run a few half marathons, but I’ve never done one as part of a team before, so jumped at the opportunity to do so with my lovely colleagues. And at the same time, we’ll be raising money for a brilliant charity that is working to protect our wonderful countryside and green spaces – so we can all get outside and benefit from nature! I love working at the Trust, but my role doesn’t usually give me the chance to fundraise, so this is my way of giving back!

Nik

I love nature and I love running! But nature is in trouble so I'm getting my running shoes on to help.

I'm Head of Communications for the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridge and Northamptonshire and every day my colleagues inspire me - protecting nature reserves and species and introducing young people to wildlife. We've got lots of work to do to tackle the impacts of climate change, habitat loss and species decline and we need the tools, resources and people to do it.

Megan

Hi! I’m Meg and I’m a Communities and Education Officer for the Trust, working to get people of all ages outdoors, enjoying nature and inspiring them to help us protect our nature reserves and the magnificent species that call them home. I have always loved spending my time outdoors and being in nature, so I feel very lucky to be able to share this with others.

I’m super excited to combine my passion for wildlife with something else I enjoy – running! Running is a big part of my life, and you’ll often find me lacing up my trainers and heading off into the countryside, usually stopping multiple times to look at interesting wildlife – there’s no better way to run in my opinion! Often joining me on my runs is my Dad who, having run every day for 10 years and completed well over 100 marathons, has been my biggest inspiration to become a runner (although I’m not quite as mad as him!). We’ll be taking on the Great Eastern run together, alongside our Wildlife Trust team of runners, so being able to run alongside him whilst knowing we’re doing our bit for local wildlife, makes this race extra special.

Sarah

For me, running is all about getting outside and feeling connected to nature. I love exploring new routes, changing up the scenery and spotting wildlife as I go. I only started running in my mid‑twenties, so I still feel fairly new to it, but I’ve already completed three half marathons and I’m excited to take on another.

As the digital marketing officer, I spend a lot of time at a desk, so this is a great chance to support local nature in a more active way - and to do it alongside a brilliant team!

Emily

Hi, I’m Emily, the Corporate Partnerships Officer at The Wildlife Trust BCN and I signed up to do this so that I can run during work hours. I think that was the deal...right?

I’ve run multiple half marathons, and I ran my first marathon this year. Usually, if I’m going to run 21k or more I like to do it for a charity and I’m super excited to get to run this one to raise money for a wilder future with a great team. Lets gooooooo!

Helen Bailey

I’m Helen Bailey, I work at the Great Fen as the Project Officer. I have been at the Wildlife Trust BCN first as a Volunteer in 2012, then a Volunteer Officer before becoming a member of staff in 2015.

I have been running on and off for a number of years and have taken part in a few Park Runs before doing my first 10k last October. I decided that a half marathon would be my next challenge.

Supporting the Wildlife Trust BCN makes me even more determined to complete the Great Eastern Run at a time when our habitats and wildlife need all the help they can get. Our Reserves are costly to maintain so every bit of money raised will be valuable and greatly appreciated.

Joe Featherstone

I'm not a big runner but I've decided to attempt a half marathon for my local wildlife trust. I recently lost two close family members and for me having outdoor spaces to be in nature has been invaluable for my mental health. I'm running so I can help build these spaces for other people who might need it.

Mark Bradford

My names Mark I’m 34 and I’ve chosen to do this run for my own fitness and wellbeing & to improve on that whilst supporting a fantastic charity that does so much to provide for wild life.

I’m hoping that by running this half marathon I can raise as much money as possible to help bring much needed attention to our local wildlife.

Shannon Frederiksen

Running has become a huge part of my life over the last few years. It has challenged me physically and mentally, given me confidence, and allowed me to spend more time outdoors enjoying nature.

Taking on the Great Eastern Half Marathon is an exciting personal challenge, but I also wanted to use it as an opportunity to support a cause that makes a real difference. Wildlife Trust BCN does incredible work protecting local wildlife and wild spaces for future generations, and I’m proud to be fundraising for them.

Every donation, no matter the size, will help support their conservation efforts and keep our local environment thriving. Thank you for supporting me on this journey and helping make a difference for wildlife.