I'm running the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Half Marathon 2018 on 30th September. 

Follow my training progress on Instagram: @active.em.blog and Facebook: Emily Ankers - Leeds Girls Can Ambassador 

I have lived in Leeds now for three years as a student. During my time in Leeds I have been involved in various groups and communities but two of the most important have been volunteering and working for BTRS and volunteering as a Leeds Girls Can Ambassador. 

Why have I chosen to fundraise for BTRS?

BTRS is an independent, Yorkshire based charity. I started volunteering for BTRS in my second year, doing one day a week in the shop and cafe, No. 31 (Otley Road, Headingley). I got to become part of a fantastic community, meeting customers and supporters of the charity and finding out why the work of BTRS is so important. After I finished my degree earlier this year, I joined the BTRS staff team as a fundraising assistant for the summer. I still have a bit of time working there but when it comes to the time of the race, I will have left Leeds. By joining the staff team I have gained an even greater insight into truly amazing support that BTRS offers to those who need it, the phenomenal efforts of supporters to fundraise and the groundbreaking research that BTRS funds. I know that the staff go above and beyond to help patients,  families, fundraisers and supporters. I think that as an independent charity, BTRS deliver support which is very unique. Without fundraising this support can't be delivered! So I wanted to give back to such a deserving cause. 

What about Leeds Girls Can?

I became a Leeds Girls Can Ambassador Blogger at the start of my third year in Leeds. Leeds Girls Can is a branch of the national This Girl Can campaign. We aim to empower women and girls by helping them get involved in sport and physical activity. We try and help women to overcome fear of judgement, whether that be fear of judgement of appearance, ability or priorities. We do this by putting on discounted or free classes, sessions, runs, you name it, we'll try and do it... 

I have absolutely loved being involved with the campaign in Leeds and I will miss my Ambassadors and fellow Leeds ladies when I leave in September. I wanted to do something to finish my official Leeds Girls Can Ambassador role (although I will stay one from a distance) with an almighty bang! By running the Great Scottish Half Marathon, I can show the ladies of Leeds that they can achieve their fitness goals. Why am I running in Scotland? Because that particular race gives me enough time to train properly, because I won't magically be able to run a (hopefully) sub-two hour half marathon magically overnight. It will be hard work but I'm willing to put in the effort if it proves that #leedsgirlscan. 

This half-marathon is the perfect opportunity for me to combine my support for BTRS and Leeds Girls Can in one. Maybe I will get a T-Shirt printed with both logos on... watch this space!

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