Back in 2020 I had planned to compete in one final Triathlon. Then Covid hit!

So 5 years later, here it goes for "One Last Tri" at completing an Olympic distance triathlon. The only competition will be myself, my knackered left knee and arthritic right ankle. What can go wrong? I can swim (albeit slowly), I know how to ride a bike and if I can't run the 10k then I shall walk. So it's all possible.

I've had a long association with Home-Start Guildford. Jo has been a volunteer for over 10 years, which has allowed me to see first hand the incredible life changing impact Home-Start has on local families who are struggling with life and young (under 5) children. Each family has their own challenges and many times it's the "system" which has led them to needing help from Home-Start. The concept is so simple - volunteers give 3 hours of their time each week to be with their family. Their visits can vary from just sitting playing with the children whilst Mum gets some needed rest to going out for a walk with the family or accompanying them on visits outside the house. The volunteers are not there to be judgmental or to change how the family go about life, they are there as a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on. It's so simple yet so effective and has been life changing for so many families.

Eighteen months ago, I became a Trustee of Home-Start Guildford and I now see how our wonderful volunteers are supported by an incredible small team in our office. Volunteers give their time free, but charity regulations, and the need to train and support the volunteers, costs us money. Five years ago 40% of our funding came from statutory bodies - today it is under 2%! This means we are £90,000 short for this financial year. We constantly need money to allow us to continue delivering such wonderful support to families.

Any spare pounds you have will make a massive difference to a family. Helping Home-Start families can have significant long term positive implications, often preventing intervention by authorities. If you can help me raise £2,000 it will help Home-Start Guildford support two families over the next year. Each volunteer we train supports a mother which in turn means our support helps the wider family structure. The money you help me raise will significantly impact and change the lives of 4, 6 or even 8 people. It will give them a better chance.

Please help motivate me to complete "One Last Tri" because you will also be helping Jo and our wonderful volunteers deliver life changing support to so many families.

Thank you, especially during these difficult times and with so many charities crying out for financial help. It is getting harder for people to make donations so at Home-Start Guildford we truly value every penny and pound you are able to donate.

Thank you for reading my story.

Rob

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