Kim Lanighan: 'I am a single working mum of 1 and often find it difficult to fit exercise into my busy life. This challenge has given me the motivation to get back out running again and has even inspired my 12 year old daughter to join in. The Porch do such a fantastic job of supporting vulnerable people in Oxford so I want to do my bit to help raise some additional funds for them. It has given me the opportunity to show my daughter that not everyone is as fortunate as us and we would both like to volunteer some time to support the Porch.'

Emma Packard: 'I'm a young working mum, my 2 year old boy is full of energy & life, he fills us with joy as well as being full on 100 miles an hour all the time! This challenge has pushed me further than I normally push myself, I'm so motivated to take this on & do what I can to help the Porch, they are working so hard to help a growing number of people in need. When my son is old enough to understand, I will share this story & hopefully many more to teach him how fortunate we are and how we should not only be grateful every day but we should always do our best to help others in need, in any way we can.'

Luca Bergaglio: 'I'm Luca and I hope this challenge will help me to relieve the lockdown stress!'

Michael Savage: 'I have been engaging with Porch for the past year and have seen first hand the fantastic work they are doing to support the growing numbers of vulnerable people in the City of Oxford. I want to do all that I can to support them and in turn help the homeless and vulnerable individuals. The team at The Porch are phenomenal, the hard work, dedication and time they put in is truly mind blowing. I am participating in the 100k in March activity to raise funds for the Porch – this is a particular challenge for me as I haven’t exercised since August 2020 due to a back injury so I am also using this as extra motivation to get me up and running and fit once again – and then I will also be able to volunteer some of my time to further support The Porch.

The Porch: A few highlights

• Train Social workers and have an agreement with Oxford Brookes Uni for students on their Social Work Course

• Have an allotment project to promote mental health

• Work with the Terence Higgins Trust, sexual health for rough sleepers

• Work with offenders on day release from HM prison Spring Hill – an open resettlement prison for Male adults

• Provide meals for rough sleepers

• Have counsellors, guests who provide courses e.g. Art Therapy etc .

• In the current situation they are open for takeaway meals and do a delivery service – food/meals is more important than ever at the moment and they are providing more meals than previously in the pandemic

• They are preparing for the winter and have a venue set up (a church) just up the road where rough sleepers can go in, sit down, temporary overnight sleeping, and take a shower – this is the ONLY place in Oxford that offers this facility at the current time. Visitors can get a hot meal and goodie bag at the door.

• Food costs have gone up and they have PPE costs, containers for food etc

• Normally provide 150 – 200 meals a day and dignity packs