I have been inspired by all the fundraising that has started to take place during Covid-19 and I want to help.  I am so grateful to all NHS staff and frontline workers who work tirelessly to save our friends and families and keep our country running.  The NHS is a
cornerstone of our society, funded by the government and keeping us strong and well.   

When the pandemic subsides there are going to be significant economic consequences that we will need to absorb, people and
communities that were struggling before this crisis are going to be pushed further into poverty. It is going to be harder to focus on those less fortunate than us.  It is those people that are
going to need even more support and risk being forgotten.

So what am I going to do?

As soon as lockdown ends, and it is safe and sensible to do so, I will be running 100km starting from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and ending up at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.  I have been training and running at least 5km every day since March 22^nd and I will continue to do so until lockdown ends.  Although I am an accomplished runner, this will be the longest distance I have attempted to run in one go. My training will be affected by the limitations and implications of
following the government advice for lockdown, which will add that extra challenge!

I am fundraising for the Poverty Alliance.
The Poverty Alliance is Scotland’s anti-poverty network. Together, they
influence policy and practice, support communities to challenge poverty, provide evidence through research and build public support for the solutions to tackle poverty.  Their members include
grassroots community groups, activists who are experiencing poverty, academics, large national NGOs, voluntary organisations, statutory organisations, tradeunions, and faith groups.  Over the weeks
and months ahead Poverty Alliance will be doing all they can to amplify the voices of people who are already living in poverty and the community and voluntary organisations that support them. They will also be making the case for changes to the way our social security system supports people through these difficult times. 

How can you help?

I have been overwhelmed by the reaction and encouragement I have received from friends and family who want to get involved, support me and are up for their own challenge.  There are so many ways you can get involved.  Whether you want to make it your own challenge and cover the 100kms through running, walking and cycling in your own time be that outdoors, following government regulations, or simply lapping around your living room.  You can log your activities on Strava and join the 100k For Poverty Club at https://www.strava.com/clubs/633213

Please engage and share this campaign and if
you feel able, donate.

I’d like to raise as much as I possibly can to support
the Poverty Alliance, keeping in mind those less fortunate than ourselves and doing all we can to protect them.