Sarah's running again! - Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire

In 2017 I ran the London Marathon and what an incredible journey I went on. With days to go I twisted my knee and although I completed the race, the injury has plagued me since. I had surgery in 2018 and thought my marathon running days were over. However, I focused on re-gaining my strength and felt very grateful that my body allowed me to don my shoes again and keep running, albeit far from the 26.2 miles that had injured me.

Over the last 2 years running has been a lifeline for me. We've all struggled with our mental health, and I have used running to help keep me sane, even on the very dark days - and there were a few of them. There is something liberating about tying your laces and heading off for a few miles.

I am the manager at Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire and I see the incredible work the charity does with local families. Many of us have needed a lifeline over the last two years, and Home-Start has given that to some of the families they have worked with - in fact it is a word that has been used by families to describe their support. The gentle unassuming way the volunteers are able to reach families helps them to make powerful positive changes to their lives, bringing fun back into family life.

In 2020/2021 personal challenges raised over £10k for Home-Start!! But as the second year of covid comes to an end, funding has become more difficult to secure and the funding target of £185,000 by 31st March 2022 seems far, far away.

So that's why on March 6th 2022 I will be taking to the streets of Cambridge to run the Cambridge half marathon. The route is flat (thank goodness) and my trusty training partner, Simon, is taking me through a gruelling training programme to ensure that this time I get to the start line injury free and ready to enjoy this challenging 13.1 miles experience.

I want to shout about the incredible work Home-Start does. The way it reaches people, connects with them and helps them to make powerful changes. And I want to make a difference, to help them keep on supporting families, to reach more in need.

I would be so grateful if you would sponsor me to take on the challenge of pushing myself a bit further doing something I love, that keeps me sane, that at the same time helps others in a less fortunate position than me.