Running for Home-Start… again!
In 2 weeks’ time, I will be running in the Cambridge Half Marathon (on Sunday, 6th March). Yep, crazy, I know! 5 years ago my London Marathon journey left me elated and injured in equal measure – this is the first time I have laced up my running shoes to compete in a running event since. So, 5 years on, older, creakier, heavier I have found the last 8 weeks challenging. This time, what I really hope to gain from my experience along with the satisfaction that I can still run for 13.1 miles, is some vital funding for Home-Start.
A personal challenge to raise funds for Home-Start
In 2020 lots of people took on personal challenges, inspired by the likes of Captain Tom, and Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire (Home-Start) saw over £10k income from personal challenges alone!!!! In fact, in 2020, our total income was 26% higher than our fundraising target, an incredible achievement, demonstrating the generosity of so many individuals and organisations, as well as the acknowledgement of worth for charities that provide such fundamental support services in so many different ways.
As the world has rightly returned to a bit more normal, people have less time and other places to spend their money, which has impacted charities. This year Home-Start anticipate around 30% less income against the current fundraising target, demonstrating the additional challenges securing funding has brought, in the second year of the pandemic.
Increase in demand for Home-Start services
Alongside this drop in income, we have seen an inevitable increase in the demand for Home-Start’s services, in fact, we have received over 100% more referrals than we did in 2020. Families are certainly feeling the fallout of the last two years in a harsh way, many struggling with complicated mental health challenges, feeling isolated, financial difficulties and generally in need of support.
One mum recently told us;
I couldn’t get through without knowing I had (my volunteer) and group to go to. (My partner) can see the difference and says he knows the days I have seen (my volunteer) and gone to (family) group – like the before and after a good night’s sleep.
What a wonderful analogy – Home-Start support is like having a good night’s sleep.
Why am I doing this?
I would like to help as many families as possible to experience the positive effects that Home-Start can bring, so I am asking my friends, family, colleagues and anyone who has an understanding of how hard parenting can be sometimes, to sponsor me. I want to raise as much money as possible to help Home-Start continue to reach the families that need us, providing ‘lifeline’ support for parents when they need us most… because childhood can’t wait.
Sarah, Scheme Manager
Help Sarah reach her target!
If you would like to help Sarah smash her fundraising target of £300 you can make a donation by visiting her Visufund page: Sarah’s running again! – Home-Start Royston, Buntingford and South Cambridgeshire | Visufund
And you can follow her running journey here: Round 2 half marathon journey (tumblr.com)
Fancy doing your own personal challenge for Home-Start?
If you would like to take on your own personal challenge in support of Home-Start get in touch. We can help you with planning, fundraising pages and ideas to get sponsorship.
Did you know that £10,000 would enable us to provide more than 4 months of home visiting support to over 17 families? With £10,000 we could run 2 volunteer prep courses, training 24 new volunteers. Or it would more than cover the cost for a whole year of one of our family support group sessions.
You don’t have to be a runner. You could be a skipper, a walker, a singer, a cycler… the list is endless. If you’re inspired to be creative and take on a challenge, then we would love to hear from you. Get in touch today to see how we can support you. You can do this by email (admin@hsrsc.org.uk) or you can give us a call on 01763 262262.