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On 23rd April I will be doing the London Marathon and for those who know me will not be  surprised to hear that I’ve set myself another challenge.  I was originally planned to do the London Marathon in 2022 but following what seemed to be a bit of a tumble walking (of all things) turned out to be torn ankle ligaments.  I thought after a few months max I’d be fine and back to doing what I enjoy, exercising and training for my next challenge but 2022 turned out to be a very different and one that didn’t come with any bling.  I’ve sustained minor injuries in the past and bounced back quickly but the next 14 months was going to be very different with more injuries.  Recovery is still work in progress, and my focus is rehab alongside a structured plan to get me to the London Marathon start line and to finish safely to collect my bling.  Exercising and setting myself challenges is my way to manage my physical and mental well-being and the reward of the shiny bling as I pass the finish line is my motivation.  Getting to this stage would not have been possible without having the support network from professionals who know how to guide you through these challenges.

I’ve chatted to my work colleague, Olga, about boot camp, exercising, PT and challenges and I saw a spark in her eyes but I didn’t realise how much this meant to Olga to have the opportunity to do these things.  In a later conversation Olga shared that she was an unpaid career to her husband, as well as being a mum to her 7 year old son whilst holding down a full time job was a real shock. This is reality for some carers and having the chance of respite,  to have some downtime and a level of normality, a window of opportunity , whatever that looks like, becomes a luxury and something that everyone deserves.  

 Olga’s Story

I have been an unpaid carer for my husband for almost 7 years now. Raymond had a brain haemorrhage just after our boy has been born, followed by many health complications in the following years. As it stands at the moment Raymond cannot look after himself and his health prospects are not great. It has been difficult for both of us to come to terms with- what’s happened and that life has changed so quickly and so dramatically. My day can often be quite challenging- if Raymond is not sleeping, because he is in pain or hallucinating- I don’t sleep. In the morning I still need to get up, get our boy ready for school and get on with the job (which I enjoy). In the evening I will come back home and get one with my other jobs- of being mum (which I love) and a carer (which I have). Our situation might sound bleak, but it did however highlight the amount of kindness around us, and how willing to help people are. York Carers Centre have been great so far in giving me a chance to speak to someone, when I’m having a tough day; in helping me to sort out some assistance in the morning; in navigating in the murky waters of assessments and allowances- taking a lot of stress off my shoulders. They really are a great bunch, that deserve to be supported too.

This is why I am supporting ‘York Carers Centre.’ York Carers Centre is an independent charity and a network member of the national Carers Trust. They provide free advice on any finance support (benefits, allowances, discounts), help at home (arranging for someone to come in and help with dressing, personal care, feeding the person being cared for), organise social events and give a chance to meet other unpaid carers; provide counselling sessions to support carer’s mental health. Organise outings for young carers to give them a chance to meet other kids in similar situations.

Free support for unpaid carers (yorkcarerscentre.co.uk)

I’d appreciate it if you could sponsor me to raise funds  to enable York Carers Centre to continue the amazing work supporting unpaid carers like Olga and her family to give them the support, time and space to be carefree for moment in time whilst knowing that there is someone there to help and care for their loved ones and family during this very difficult time.