As many of you know, I have a love of running although,  it is sometimes a love/hate relationship.

 Over the past 4 years, I have attempted to fit in training runs and races around the challenges of work and motherhood.

 Entering my 40s, I wanted to set myself a new running challenge, so I’ve decided to run 40 10K runs. 

This will be a combination of races and independent runs. I’m looking forward to this new challenge and within this I’ll have many opportunities to grow and achieve as a runner. 

After a year away from running and having little ‘running confidence’, I didn’t know where to start so in April 2019, I started the couch to 5k and then found another app to help me build up to running 10K. I was running 3 times a week and it really helped me to build my stamina and confidence to help get out there and run. 

This year, I have been on maternity leave and during this time I wanted to volunteer my time and support in the local community. I’d heard about The Magpie Project. 

So I visited the project and heard first hand from staff member Hannah about how they support local mums and children.  I was absolutely inspired. 

Here is some information about the project: 

The Magpie Project is a community based volunteer run charity set up by concerned mums, aunties and grand-mums who were worried about the plight of children under five living in temporary or unfit accommodation in the borough.

Recent figures show that 2,000 under-fives live in temporary accommodation in Newham. These families fighting homelessness struggle with the basics: stimulating play, enough to eat, clean, warm clothes, and a chance to have fun. A safe, clean place to sleep, cooking or bathroom facilities. 

The Magpie Project provide:
•    a secure, safe place to play; 
•    a warm atmosphere where mums and their children can relax and make friends; 
•    a healthy snack and nutritious hot lunch;
•    parenting support; 
•    access to advice on housing, health, mental health, immigration, and 
• Signposting to food banks, children’s centres, and others.

As the weeks past, the realisation kicked in that volunteering for the project was going to be difficult - particularly when returning to work full time in October. But I felt like I really wanted to contribute to this amazing project and support the volunteers who do a remarkable job of supporting children and mums in the community. 

So the idea occurred to me that I should use my 40 10K challenge to help to fundraise for the charity. 

So with this physical challenge I have set myself, I’d like you to contribute and support my local charity which provide a safe and fun place for mums and under fives suffering in temporary or insecure accommodation.

Whatever you can give rest assured that I have personally seen this charity in action and can tell you the money will be well spent.

You could pledge: 

1p per KM - total £4

10p per KM £40.

50p per KM £200

Or you could set up a standing order of £4.00 a month to represent my efforts.

Whatever you give will be appreciated. 

(small print!)

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.