As totally novice runners the two girls took up running as a way to keep fit. After many jokes from friends and colleagues they decided that if they were going to continue running, then they were going to run BIG, and there is no bigger challenge than the 26.2 miles of the Virgin London Marathon. The race takes place on Sunday 21 April 2013.
Having worked for TACT for over 11 years Emma was aware that the charity had places in the Marathon and as a team they haven’t looked back. As Emma said, “I love working for TACT and fully support and believe in our mission and goals and in working for better outcomes for the children we look after”.
Children in care have some of the worst outcomes of all young people. They are more likely to have poor academic achievement, experience unemployment and homelessness, suffer from mental health problems and come into contact with the criminal justice system. Over 60 per cent of children in the care system will have suffered significant harm, abuse or neglect. All will have experienced the trauma and bereavement of being separated from their birth families.
Many will never have had the opportunity to enjoy the childhood experiences that the rest of us take for granted. While TACT is able to provide a secure and loving foster family, the funding we receive from local authorities does not pay for activities, excursions and other days out.
Being keen crafters the pair have been creating and making a variety of fantastic hampers and craft goods to sell as gifts at craft fairs and school fetes, to help them achieve there fundraising target. All of the money raised through sponsorship will go towards providing actives for children and young people in TACT care in Wales.
The cheery pair have trained tirelessly, and although they started out as running novices they are now more than prepared for race day. It hasn’t all been easy and the toughest part has been keeping motivated through the long, cold winter nights and snowy afternoon runs. Lydia advises it’s best to run with a partner saying “I would have not always gone out without my buddy, and vice versa. It was also nice having someone to help with fundraising ideas”.
With one weeks until race day they are both looking forward to the event and planning the first things they will do after crossing the finishing line. Top of the list is a cup of tea and a lay down.
To support Emma and Lydia reach their fundraising goal please visit:
Lydia – https://www.justgiving.com/Lydia-Ball1
Emma – https://www.justgiving.com/Emma-Mundy
