A CHARITY in Reading is gearing up to take on one of the town’s most prolific fundraising events this spring.
Residents are taking part in Reading Half Marathon with a view to raising funds for Home-Start and its work supporting families with young children.
Thirty-five residents have signed up to run on behalf of the charity, and a further five are also taking part in the Green Park Challenge 3k fun run on its behalf, which takes place the same day.
This means that 40 people in total will be running for the charity as it continues to celebrate its 40th anniversary year.
Those running include Home-Start Reading’s Home-Visiting Co-ordinator, Marion Mortimer, and her daughter, as well as a team of 14 people from The Atrium Health Club.
Among those running is Karolina Boks, a community public health nurse and health visitor for
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
She said: “I find solace in running for my mental wellbeing–it clears my mind after a challenging day and prepares me for the next.
“As a nurse, health visitor, and working mother, juggling responsibilities can be demanding, but it is also the most fulfilling part of my life.
“In my line of work, I witness firsthand how much of a difference Home-Start can make in families lives-the support they provide is invaluable, and I am thrilled to be part of such a wonderful service.”
She explained: ““It’s no secret that many families are struggling right now, and as health visitors, we see the toll it takes on them, especially children.
“Early intervention is crucial to prevent problems from arising later in life, and Home-Start is doing a fantastic job of providing that support–they offer hope to families and children and remind them that there is still good in the world.”
“I have come from a cracked home but luckily had a wider family network that stepped in to help when we needed. Home-Start offers the same for those without that support. It helps the children so they have the best start in life.
“I will continue to run and raise money for them as long as they will have me.”
Home-Start Reading’s Manager, Kelly Dadd, commented, “I’m thrilled that we have so many people signed up for this year and 40 runners in our 40th anniversary year is the icing on the cake.
“This is a heartening example of the people of Reading helping each other; we are grateful to all of the runners for their dedication and efforts and, of course, everyone that encourages, supports or sponsors them.”
Home-Start provides support to families with children under 5 with home visits, mental-health services and courses, and pre-natal resources.
The Reading Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, April 14.
More information about those: Home-start-reading.org.uk/reading-half-marathon.
