So, I am running a Half Marathon, specifically the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April 2025.

This will be a real big challenge for me. From the crowds to the noise of the event, to my own physical disabilities with my funky spine, loose joints and pain too, as well as the fact my fitness levels have sunk for a variety of reasons. If I were to run (and by run I mean jog/walk) a 5k upon the point of accepting my place in the LLHM place it would take me 55 mins which is obviously not a speedy pace. But I want to run the Half Marathon as much as I can, if possible. However, the jump between a 5k and a half marathon is rather large and it is very intimidating for where I currently am now.

I have been going to the gym consistently since getting my place and doing a few other things too like walking, ParkRuns and a few formal running events and am feeling confident that by April I will be the fittest I have ever been. I hope.

I am primarily running this Half Marathon for me and to prove that I can do it and not on behalf of a charity in an official charity place sense, but I thought it would be good to raise £100 or so for a charity just as a little “thank you” to a charity which means a lot to me.

There were a few places I’d have like to raise money for, but charity I have chosen is “Trust House Reading”. This is a charity which supports people affected by rape and sexual abuse.

It’s a small charity and covers a huge area including (Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Bracknell, Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury) and as only those who need it access it know about it, it does not get the charity support it so rightly deserves for the life changing work it does.

This charity in particular and the lovely people I had around me made a huge difference to me.

Trust House provides free and confidential services to people who have been affected by rape and sexual abuse. Support is available to women, men and children who are survivors of historical or recent rape and sexual abuse and to people who support them including friends, family and professionals. Services include: Counselling for adults, Counselling for young people, play therapy for children, confidential helpline, independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA), children independent sexual violence advisor (CHISVA), support groups and training.

Updates:

First goal £100 smashed on the 29th Sept 2024

Second goal of £250 smashed on the 30th Sept 2024

Third goal set to £300 on 30th sept 2024

Fourth goal set to the wild amount of £500 on 31st Oct 2024