I am going to be running/walking/surviving the London Marathon to raise money for The Salvation Army and also to highlight the fantastic work they do.

The Salvation Army is a charity that is important to me as when I was growing up me and my family personally benefitted from there kindness and practical help and support to get us back on our feet.

I also really believe in the key principal underpinning their work - which is to offer practical help and support without prejudice. What this means is that they never give up on people. Often people who are battling addiction or suffering from poor mental health (sometimes both!)  are hard to love and burn their bridges with family and friends - leaving them isolated and vulnerable with no where else to turn. It must feel impossible to break free of the negative cycle they are trapped in. The Salvation Army offer infinite chances to people giving them practical help and guidance to turn their lives around - they do this with patience and kindness at the heart.

The Salvation Army enable the homeless to rebuild their lives, help people break free from addiction and also support victims of human trafficking. Not to mention all they have do and continue to do to support those impacted by the war in Ukraine! 

They offer support on a national scale but also focus support and resources locally - Northwich has a Salvation Army centre in town. This a safe place for people to go to get food, a drink and even a shower. they have people on hand to offer advice and support to those that want it. I have decided that I am going to split any funds 50/50 between The Salvation Army, Northwich and the national funding pot - as this will ensure that local people benefit too.

For those that like a statistic........The Salvation Army provide.....

3500 homeless people a bed for the night

community and residential centres

600 older people a home across 17 care homes

20,500 kids benefit from attending youth clubs every week

20 emergency vehicles that respond to over 200 incidents a year including fires and floods offering practical support to victims and rescuers

I really hope that you are able to support me and this amazing charity as they do make such a difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. 

All sponsorship monies raised from our London Marathon 2022 team will go to support our work protecting and caring for people experiencing homelessness.Homelessness is a reality of our society. From street homelessness to those battling addiction, the services we offer put the person and their needs at the centre of their support - enabling people to take control of their life circumstances. We passionately believe that no one is beyond hope, however great their problems. So very often, through our care, support, practical help and the time we freely give, people find the strength to turn their lives around. Above all, we are a friend to people who have nowhere else to turn, offering love and hope in place of despair. To find out more about the work we do to help break the cycle of homelessness, please visit: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/homelessness