This September I’m taking part in the South Coast Challenge 100km trek, to raise much needed funds for Northamptonshire Community Foundation.

I’ll be taking on this challenge over two days starting in Eastbourne, trekking up Beachy Head, the magnificent Seven Sisters, and along the South Downs Way, Brighton, Devil’s Dyke valley, and many hilly ups and downs before reaching 100km at historic Arundel.

I’m taking on the mighty South Coast Challenge to fundraise for Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s General Fund, which supports our own charitable activities so we can keep giving out urgent grant awards to the small, local charities and community groups working with the most vulnerable residents and providing a safety net of support; whether that be through health and wellbeing initiatives, food aid projects, family support, counselling services, youth, sports and job clubs, community centres, car and bus schemes, friends of parks, village halls and community law projects to name just a few.

Last year, during the ongoing cost of living crisis, we had our biggest grant-making year to date. We awarded over £2.97 million in grants to hundreds of groups and charities across Northamptonshire, and we’re committed to continuing to provide funding in this way now and in the future. Our current work and activities ensures that we raise and give out funds and shine a light on vital issues affecting our county and working with others to tackle them. This includes ensuring rural communities get their fair share of funding, working alongside the High Sheriff to help tackle serious youth violence and championing the role of volunteers through our Rose of the Shire Awards.

The last few years have been incredibly hard for many, and we know that vital funds are needed now more than ever.

Your donation will help us continue to support the incredible, ongoing work of small, local charities and groups across Northamptonshire who are dedicated to doing good on our doorstep and changing lives for the better.