Well, that's it then! Not only is the marathon successfully completed, but the quite astonishing and unexpected generosity of so many people has brought my fundraising total to £3000. I would like to list you all - but there have been so many - and even some who I don't know at all! So, for all of you, this message is my "thank you". I know the staff and volunteers of CCS, as well as those who benefit from their services, would like to add their thanks to mine. If you've been following my blog, or know about CCS from some other source, you will be in no doubt of the value of their work. I'm glad to have been able to contribute to it, thanks to all your donations.
It's a poignant experience writing this message, feeling satisfaction and achievement at the success of the project, but a little bit of sadness to see it end. Considering that I'm going through the same sort of transition in another sphere of my life, having finished the final assessments for my theology degree last week, it's an emotionally charged time! But perhaps what I want to attend to and nurture is the sense of hope I'm aware of somewhere quite deep in me. Every end is a beginning, so here's to what's coming next!
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Wednesday, 16 April 2014
The Big Day - in Pictures!
Well, the title is a bit of an exaggeration. It should actually say: "after the finish line - in pictures", because that's what I've got! But they should at least be adequate to prove I really did complete the marathon, complete with sunburn!
Proudly with my medal!
The T shirt in the goody bag
With one of the other CCS runners and Rosemary Keenan, CEO of CCS
And with Megan from CCS, who made it all happen!
A final note: I've now raised £2,745. That's not very far off £3,000, is it? Maybe it could reach that nice round number?? Anyone feel like rewarding my marathon effort by helping me achieve that final dream? It's just a thought...
Monday, 14 April 2014
04:07:28
Am I happy with how the marathon went? No! I'm thoroughly chuffed! All the training must have been worth it, as I shaved 10 minutes off my personal best, and finished 35 minutes quicker than when I ran London 5 years ago. So, here's how the day went:
Sunshine! Well, Saturday's weather would have been much more congenial for running, but it did make London look beautiful. Of course, applying some sun tan lotion might have been a good idea, but it wasn't one that occurred to me... I also allowed rather less time to get to the start than might have been ideal, so it was a bit of a rush getting my baggage onto the appropriate lorry and waiting in the exceedingly long queues for the portaloos. But I made it to the start with 5 minutes to spare; long enough to re-tie my laces another 3 or 4 times!
The hooter sounded, and, as expected, we went nowhere. 35,000 runners is an awful lot, even distributed between 3 different starts. I finally got through at 10:12. That was fine since, thanks to the clever chip system, your time only starts when you actually cross the start line. Of course, the crowds of runners don't disappear at that moment. Indeed, people going my sort of pace find themselves in a pack all the way round. It certainly doesn't make running easy, as you try to judge the speed each person is going, consider the need to overtake and assess the safety of doing so, attempting to avoid at least major collisions, if not the occasional clashing of elbows.
Spectators are there in even greater numbers, most cheering, some distributing jelly babies or orange segments, some with inexpertly painted boards declaring "touch here for power"! And then there are the volunteers, uncountable, offering bottles of water and lucozade, vaseline, or medical attention. What brilliant people. But probably my main attention was on the runners. It was astonishing and heartening to see the number of different charities being supported, and very moving to read the little personal messages on people's vests, usually along the lines of "Running for Mum", or "James: missing you". There is a great sense of shared endeavour, as if the air has become impregnated with the hours and months of effort each person has put in to get to the big day.
The sense of achievement just beyond the finish line is similarly palpable. Yet more volunteers manage to retain sincerity in their congratulations as they attend to a constant stream of runners, clipping off the timing chip from your trainer, putting a medal around your neck, giving you the famous goody bag, or returning your baggage. Well-organised doesn't even begin to describe it.
I had even more personal attention from Catholic Children's Society, waiting a short distance away (where the crowds were at least slightly thinner) to listen to the exploits of the four people running for them this year and to take photos. I hope to be able to share a picture with you before too long. Meanwhile, I can report that my total is up to £2,725, and remind you that my fundraising page is still open, if anyone feels like adding to that!
Sunshine! Well, Saturday's weather would have been much more congenial for running, but it did make London look beautiful. Of course, applying some sun tan lotion might have been a good idea, but it wasn't one that occurred to me... I also allowed rather less time to get to the start than might have been ideal, so it was a bit of a rush getting my baggage onto the appropriate lorry and waiting in the exceedingly long queues for the portaloos. But I made it to the start with 5 minutes to spare; long enough to re-tie my laces another 3 or 4 times!
The hooter sounded, and, as expected, we went nowhere. 35,000 runners is an awful lot, even distributed between 3 different starts. I finally got through at 10:12. That was fine since, thanks to the clever chip system, your time only starts when you actually cross the start line. Of course, the crowds of runners don't disappear at that moment. Indeed, people going my sort of pace find themselves in a pack all the way round. It certainly doesn't make running easy, as you try to judge the speed each person is going, consider the need to overtake and assess the safety of doing so, attempting to avoid at least major collisions, if not the occasional clashing of elbows.
Spectators are there in even greater numbers, most cheering, some distributing jelly babies or orange segments, some with inexpertly painted boards declaring "touch here for power"! And then there are the volunteers, uncountable, offering bottles of water and lucozade, vaseline, or medical attention. What brilliant people. But probably my main attention was on the runners. It was astonishing and heartening to see the number of different charities being supported, and very moving to read the little personal messages on people's vests, usually along the lines of "Running for Mum", or "James: missing you". There is a great sense of shared endeavour, as if the air has become impregnated with the hours and months of effort each person has put in to get to the big day.
The sense of achievement just beyond the finish line is similarly palpable. Yet more volunteers manage to retain sincerity in their congratulations as they attend to a constant stream of runners, clipping off the timing chip from your trainer, putting a medal around your neck, giving you the famous goody bag, or returning your baggage. Well-organised doesn't even begin to describe it.
I had even more personal attention from Catholic Children's Society, waiting a short distance away (where the crowds were at least slightly thinner) to listen to the exploits of the four people running for them this year and to take photos. I hope to be able to share a picture with you before too long. Meanwhile, I can report that my total is up to £2,725, and remind you that my fundraising page is still open, if anyone feels like adding to that!
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Focus on... Mental Health Services
With just a week until the marathon I was tempted to write again about that countdown. But there really is very little to add to last week's post, other than the continued rise of my fundraising total! It's reached over £2,500 now, which has exceeded all my expectations. Thank you so much!
Instead I thought it would be good to share with you some more about where the money is going. A few weeks ago I chose the family centres as probably my favourite part of the work of CCS. The early intervention mental health services have to come a close second.
Modern society doesn't make it easy to grow up. There are so many challenges, so many pressures. Children being brought up in situations of deprivation suffer disproportionately from stresses like family breakdown, bereavement and domestic abuse. If left untreated, the mental health difficulties which can result, such as depression, anxiety and self-harm, risk blighting individuals throughout their adult life. Difficulty expressing feelings in an acceptable way can lead to challenging behaviour which, if managed inappropriately, can lead to school failure. Again, this has long-term consequences, as lower educational achievement translates into lower earning potential.
The good news is that early intervention can transform this situation. CCS has a team of mental health professionals who work in school settings and in a dedicated centre to help children and families struggling with these kinds of difficulties. They use special, child-friendly techniques such as play, drama and art therapies to explore problems in a non-threatening way. Over 90% of those who access these services show a marked improvement in their emotional well-being.
For me this is a win-win approach. By tackling difficulties early, the long-term impact is drastically reduced. The children grow in self-esteem and personal fulfilment, enabling them to become constructive members of society who contribute to the development of their communities. This helps to break the cycle of poverty for future generations as well as helping individuals and families here and now. So I'm sure you'll agree with me that this project really is worth supporting!
Instead I thought it would be good to share with you some more about where the money is going. A few weeks ago I chose the family centres as probably my favourite part of the work of CCS. The early intervention mental health services have to come a close second.
Modern society doesn't make it easy to grow up. There are so many challenges, so many pressures. Children being brought up in situations of deprivation suffer disproportionately from stresses like family breakdown, bereavement and domestic abuse. If left untreated, the mental health difficulties which can result, such as depression, anxiety and self-harm, risk blighting individuals throughout their adult life. Difficulty expressing feelings in an acceptable way can lead to challenging behaviour which, if managed inappropriately, can lead to school failure. Again, this has long-term consequences, as lower educational achievement translates into lower earning potential.
The good news is that early intervention can transform this situation. CCS has a team of mental health professionals who work in school settings and in a dedicated centre to help children and families struggling with these kinds of difficulties. They use special, child-friendly techniques such as play, drama and art therapies to explore problems in a non-threatening way. Over 90% of those who access these services show a marked improvement in their emotional well-being.
For me this is a win-win approach. By tackling difficulties early, the long-term impact is drastically reduced. The children grow in self-esteem and personal fulfilment, enabling them to become constructive members of society who contribute to the development of their communities. This helps to break the cycle of poverty for future generations as well as helping individuals and families here and now. So I'm sure you'll agree with me that this project really is worth supporting!
Monday, 31 March 2014
The Final Fortnight!
On a Monday morning a nice dramatic title seemed appropriate. Well, it's true that in two weeks' time the marathon will have been run, and Catholic Children's Society will have benefitted from my running of it to the tune of over £2200! I have been taken aback by the generosity of so many people who have helped me to achieve my aims. Lots of individual stories are in my mind, of unexpected donations, genuine interest in the work of CCS and what I'm doing towards it, supportive messages, and so many other positive responses to this project. But I don't want to single out anybody, because at a basic level nobody's contribution is more special than anybody else's. They are all uniquely special!
So, what is there left to do now? Maybe, not too much. Runners among you will know about "the taper". To avoid arriving at race day exhausted and with aching muscles, in the weeks just before, training is gradually reduced. It's a good strategy, I think. It does feel strange, though, knowing that the next long run will be the real thing! That will probably sink in a bit more next week, when every participant has to go to the ExCeL Centre to register. This is the moment of collecting one's running number - precious, since irreplaceable if lost or forgotten on the day! The London Marathon is certainly a logistical exercise. Every runner is also issued with a kitbag for their possessions, put on a lorry just before the race and miraculously awaiting collection 26.2 miles later. It's the moment everybody is straining towards, yet it also signals "the end". And so there will be a certain sadness at the loss of something which has been a driving force for a good six months.
Yet there will be joy, too, of course. The joy of achieving a personal challenge. The joy of knowing how many people have enabled that to happen. Most especially, the joy of having contributed to empowering the lives of local people in difficult situations. I'm glad to be able to share that joy with you.
So, what is there left to do now? Maybe, not too much. Runners among you will know about "the taper". To avoid arriving at race day exhausted and with aching muscles, in the weeks just before, training is gradually reduced. It's a good strategy, I think. It does feel strange, though, knowing that the next long run will be the real thing! That will probably sink in a bit more next week, when every participant has to go to the ExCeL Centre to register. This is the moment of collecting one's running number - precious, since irreplaceable if lost or forgotten on the day! The London Marathon is certainly a logistical exercise. Every runner is also issued with a kitbag for their possessions, put on a lorry just before the race and miraculously awaiting collection 26.2 miles later. It's the moment everybody is straining towards, yet it also signals "the end". And so there will be a certain sadness at the loss of something which has been a driving force for a good six months.
Yet there will be joy, too, of course. The joy of achieving a personal challenge. The joy of knowing how many people have enabled that to happen. Most especially, the joy of having contributed to empowering the lives of local people in difficult situations. I'm glad to be able to share that joy with you.
Monday, 24 March 2014
Focus on... Family Centres
Perhaps my favourite part of CCS's work is their family centres, so I thought I would write a bit about them today.
St Francis' Family Centre was established in Tower Hamlets, England's worst area for child poverty, in 1986. It offers a number of services which empower parents to be pro-active in their children's development. The nursery helps children to be better prepared to benefit from school when they start reception class. Parents are encouraged to stay with their children so that they can learn how to help their development in the home environment. The after school club provides stimulating activities for 5-8 year olds. The toy library is a great way of giving children access to a more varied range of activities in their own homes. Talks and workshops enable parents to develop the skills they need to help their children meet their full potential. A fund for holidays and trips gives some families their only opportunity to experience a different environment from inner London. This is a real family-centred approach which can provide what is needed to escape from the poverty trap. St Francis will be moving to larger, better-equipped premises before too long. This will make it possible to provide support to even more families.
St Mark's Stay and Play is based in North Kensington, an area which contrasts starkly to the affluence of other parts of the Borough. The Centre provides a toddler group where children can play inside and out with masses of lovely toys and equipment. This environment is perfect for parents suffering from isolation and poverty; they have the chance to socialise with other people in similar circumstances and to grow in confidence and self-esteem. They can talk in confidence with staff, who offer support and guidance. This is a really safe and welcoming place, where parents can find new hope and children can make friends and learn new skills.
I hope you are as inspired by these projects as I am! What I love is their inclusivity and their emphasis on empowerment. Everybody accessing these services is respected as an individual with their own particular capacities and struggles. They are not patronised, but enabled to turn their hopes for their life into reality.
St Francis' Family Centre was established in Tower Hamlets, England's worst area for child poverty, in 1986. It offers a number of services which empower parents to be pro-active in their children's development. The nursery helps children to be better prepared to benefit from school when they start reception class. Parents are encouraged to stay with their children so that they can learn how to help their development in the home environment. The after school club provides stimulating activities for 5-8 year olds. The toy library is a great way of giving children access to a more varied range of activities in their own homes. Talks and workshops enable parents to develop the skills they need to help their children meet their full potential. A fund for holidays and trips gives some families their only opportunity to experience a different environment from inner London. This is a real family-centred approach which can provide what is needed to escape from the poverty trap. St Francis will be moving to larger, better-equipped premises before too long. This will make it possible to provide support to even more families.
St Mark's Stay and Play is based in North Kensington, an area which contrasts starkly to the affluence of other parts of the Borough. The Centre provides a toddler group where children can play inside and out with masses of lovely toys and equipment. This environment is perfect for parents suffering from isolation and poverty; they have the chance to socialise with other people in similar circumstances and to grow in confidence and self-esteem. They can talk in confidence with staff, who offer support and guidance. This is a really safe and welcoming place, where parents can find new hope and children can make friends and learn new skills.
I hope you are as inspired by these projects as I am! What I love is their inclusivity and their emphasis on empowerment. Everybody accessing these services is respected as an individual with their own particular capacities and struggles. They are not patronised, but enabled to turn their hopes for their life into reality.
Friday, 14 March 2014
The final countdown...
Well, this is it, then. In a month, it will all be over. As so frequently, I would like to be able to make time slow down! Partly, of course, this is because it would be good to be better prepared: nearer my fundraising target and fitter. But also, I realise that this project has been fun! It's been a good challenge: demanding and hard work, but rewarding, too. It's given me the chance to talk with people (i.e., you) about a charity whose work makes a difference in my local area. I've needed to dedicate time to it, to make choices which haven't focussed just on my own desires and wishes. It has stimulated me to think about how best to achieve worthwhile goals. The running has made me conscious of my physical - and psychological - capacities and limitations. So I would definitely recommend such a project, even if it's not to be undertaken lightly.
Physically, I realise one cannot ignore one's age... OK, I don't think I've got one foot in the grave. But it has certainly been tougher than I expected trying to increase my fitness levels, and I'm far from satisfied with the results! It's frustrating, wanting to be able to run faster, further, and instead moving seamlessly from a painful leg to stomach cramps to back ache, or some other equally limiting trajectory. I've been doing some fairly long runs on recent Sundays, and it's fascinating observing myself. I set out, with a degree of trepidation. I find I can indeed still run, and bounce along energetically enjoying myself. Time passes, and I realise I have failed to conserve my energy for the distance I am attempting. I slow down. Things start to hurt. Bounce disappears and I risk injury as I plod onward. I think about getting back. I'm still more than an hour from home. I think I will never get there. I keep going anyway, my movements losing fluidity with every step. I arrive. I feel great. The aim for the next month is to learn to pace myself so that I might still be running at the end rather than barely raising my feet from the ground!
The donation from Caterplus has certainly made things look more healthy on the fundraising front; the total now stands at £1,325.88. That makes it sound a bit more believable that I might reach £2000 by the big day. On the other hand, the pool of friends yet to make a donation is, of course, shrinking as the total rises. Please help me spread the word further afield if you can!
Physically, I realise one cannot ignore one's age... OK, I don't think I've got one foot in the grave. But it has certainly been tougher than I expected trying to increase my fitness levels, and I'm far from satisfied with the results! It's frustrating, wanting to be able to run faster, further, and instead moving seamlessly from a painful leg to stomach cramps to back ache, or some other equally limiting trajectory. I've been doing some fairly long runs on recent Sundays, and it's fascinating observing myself. I set out, with a degree of trepidation. I find I can indeed still run, and bounce along energetically enjoying myself. Time passes, and I realise I have failed to conserve my energy for the distance I am attempting. I slow down. Things start to hurt. Bounce disappears and I risk injury as I plod onward. I think about getting back. I'm still more than an hour from home. I think I will never get there. I keep going anyway, my movements losing fluidity with every step. I arrive. I feel great. The aim for the next month is to learn to pace myself so that I might still be running at the end rather than barely raising my feet from the ground!
The donation from Caterplus has certainly made things look more healthy on the fundraising front; the total now stands at £1,325.88. That makes it sound a bit more believable that I might reach £2000 by the big day. On the other hand, the pool of friends yet to make a donation is, of course, shrinking as the total rises. Please help me spread the word further afield if you can!
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