I am running the 2021 Edinburgh Half Marathon Virtual Challenge for Bethany Christian Trust.

I'm not a runner. I actually hate running. So why run a half marathon? Over the past 12 months Covid has made an enormous impact on the income The Bethany Christian Trust needs in order to support the most vulnerable in our communities. Without going into boring detail, we have experienced considerable financial strain over the income we need to provide the essential work we do with families, young people, ex-offenders, rough sleepers and people recovering from addiction.

When my manager asked my team to think about fundraising ideas I fleetingly thought of shaving my head as that seems to pay the big bucks (and would have dealt with my lockdown hair). However that was quickly vetoed and I then decided that I'd run the Edinburgh Half Marathon.

Being someone who'd not run for the last bus home I've had to put in quite a lot of training. From couch to 21km takes time and effort. I've been running all through the winter come  rain, hail or (occasionally) shine. I'm now 4 months in and although I've not managed to catch "the running bug" I can now say words like "fartlek" with a straight face. 

I have a long way to go before the race at the end of May, but I continue to plod along like Aesop's fabled tortoise mile after mile gradually getting closer to the goal of 13.1 miles. And with it hopefully a few thousand pounds of donations towards the absolutely amazing and essential work Bethany does.

All donations received will go directly to the Bethany Christian Centre where I work. The Centre aims, through a supported residential  community, to help men who are recovering from addiction. 

I would be so grateful if you could take the time to sponsor me to reach my target, and to save me from having to resort to shaving my head.

If you're not familiar with Bethany's work here are a few videos to  introduce you to some of the things we do to help end homelessness.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3nLVOu0dlDk&feature=share - Bethany Christian Centre

https://youtu.be/rFZULpXjX84 - Welcome Centre (previously the Winter Care Shelter)

https://youtu.be/XxU-dJup2vo - 35 Years of Ending Homelessness