Why 'Labour of Love'?

In 2022 I wrote a book, Labour of Love, about George Orton and Charles Spooner. Born in the Victorian age, they put Burton Upon Trent on the map nationally and globally as they built a world-renowned business designing and making innovative fairground rides. They were also early pioneers of cinema and brought the first 'talking picture' to the town.

I learned about the personal tragedies and private challenges that they overcome on their journey and it seemed right to donate all profits from my book to Burton & District Mind, which does so much to help people in our town today. All the money I raise through this project goes towards Mind's Burton Arts Peer Support group, which brings people together to support each other and work on creative craft and art hobbies.

So, inspired by the courage and determination that Orton and Spooner showed in their lives, I decided to embark on my own challenge and enter the Brewers 10k and try and raise a bit more through sponsorship to go towards my fundraising.

I hate running!

From childhood onwards I have always hated running. Cross-country (at the old Forest of Needwood High School) was pure torture to me. But in October 2022, after cheering on runners in the first Brewers 10k as they passed through Stretton, I downloaded the Couch to 5k app and by January 2023 I could run non-stop for 30 minutes (although I couldn't cover 5k in that time!). Since then I have pushed on, on my own, and gradually increased the time I run for in the hope of being able to complete 10k within 90 minutes at the Brewers 10k on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

As I write this, my training is still very much a work in progress. But whenever I feel like giving up (or wishing I'd stuck with the 5k instead!) I think about the work Mind does in our town to make sure that anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support.

How you can help me

It would, of course, be lovely if you could make a donation to this Just Giving page. But I realise times are tough for everyone right now. So if you could just share this page on social media in the hope that it might reach someone who would like to help me raise more money for Burton & District Mind, that would be awesome.

I don't mind telling you I am 61 and a grandmother of five - and as a lifelong exercise avoider this will be a MASSIVE challenge for me. So any help and encouragement will be really appreciated.

If you are free on the morning of Sunday October 29, I'd also appreciate any roadside cheering for me and the other runners - many of whom will be raising money for charity. It is a closed road race through Stretton and Rolleston-on-Dove. You will find details of the route and more information here.

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