Hello lovely people,

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I have decided to go for it and run Cardiff Half Marathon October 2024 and I would really love your support. As you know, I love my dogs so much and I believe all dogs should be given the chance for a loving home so my chosen charity is Dogs Trust. It would be so amazing to smash my target for this charity with your support and I promise to give 110% with the race too!

Running has been a big passion of mine for over 15 years and I absolutely love how it makes me feel physically and mentally and of course being out in nature. It was so horrid during the years I was crippled by ME, not being able to run or swim, and I've worked hard to come back from that in the last 6 years or so to be where I am with my fitness today.

Despite my huge love of running, I have a MASSIVE fear of races due to large crowds and social anxiety and the fear of 'failing'. I've only ever done one race before back in 2013 when I came 4th in Swansea Race for Life out of over 4,000 people 😅 Totally gobsmacked and overwhelmed, I think I felt I couldn't do another race again 😬

But this year, I am putting myself out there and facing those fears. I am running a 10k race in Porthcawl, Ogi Porthcawl 10K 2024 in July, and the Cardiff 10k in September and hoping it will give me race day practice and confidence for Cardiff Half Marathon in October 🙏🏃‍♀️ I know I am going to be so nervous of the crowds at all 3 races but I really want to be able to do this.

Any support would be so so gratefully received!! 🙏 Plus I'm trying to raise money for such an amazing charity...Dogs Trust 🐾❤️

I love my dogs with all my heart. The love and joy they have brought me over the years when I have felt otherwise so alone, an outsider, an outcast even, misunderstood and unworthy has been literally life saving. I've often wanted to vanish, so completely into oblivion but my dogs have pulled me out of that hell pit. They are all my angels. They get me up in the mornings, they get me out in nature every single day, walking, running, they make me laugh outloud daily, they show me how life can be your freedom, your choice; they play, they love and they give unconditionally. Dogs truly are the best and I wouldn't have survived many things without them. I really just want to give back to these beautiful animals, even if just a small amount to contribute to a better life for them. That's all I am asking for is some support with this, even if it's just 50p...it would mean so much.

You don't know what someone has gone through, is going through behind closed doors...a smile, an active life can hide so much.

Forever in my heart Muffin, Bailey, Barney, Benji, Ellie and Rory, plus Nora and Sid 🐾❤️🐾💙💘

So this is why my chosen charity for Cardiff Half Marathon is Dogs Trust. Every dog deserves to feel safe and loved because they give that back and so so much more 🥹❤️

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you so so much,

Vicky xxx