On June 13th, I’ll be taking on the Spine Sprint South ultramarathon — a 46‑mile race along some of the toughest stretches of the Pennine Way. It’s a challenge that tests every part of you: strength, stamina, resilience and determination. I wanted this effort to mean something beyond the miles, which is why I’m running in support of Evergreen Care Trust, a charity making a profound difference to older people across Stamford, Bourne, the Deepings and the surrounding villages.

Why This Challenge Matters

Training for an ultramarathon forces you to focus on the fundamentals of healthy ageing: staying active, fuelling your body well, building resilience and looking after your mental wellbeing. These same principles sit at the heart of Evergreen’s work. Their services help older people stay independent, connected and confident — not just meeting needs, but protecting dignity, wellbeing and quality of life.

What Evergreen Does for Our Community

Evergreen provides a wide range of practical and emotional support for older residents across our local area. Their services include advocacy, befriending, hand and nail care, chaplaincy & listening, social groups and friendship lunches, hot meal delivery, and specialist volunteer teams who help restore safe home environments. They also work to reduce loneliness, support mental health, and ensure people have access to nutritious food and meaningful social contact — all essential ingredients for healthy ageing.

One of their most impactful services is SHELS (Second Helpings Evergreen Lunch Support), which currently delivers over 30 hot, freshly prepared meals every week to residents in Stamford who are housebound, isolated or recovering from illness. This year, Evergreen hopes to increase that number to 50 meals a week — a goal that can only be reached through fundraising and donations like this.

Why Your Support Matters

By sponsoring this challenge, you’re not just helping me get through the miles. You’re helping Evergreen continue the kind of care that strengthens our community from within. Every donation supports real people — ensuring they receive companionship, safe home environments, nutritious meals, and the reassurance that someone cares.