Jenny's London Marathon

Jenny's London Marathon - 30 before 30 Challenge

For those who don't know, I am turning 29 in April 2024 and I have a list of 30 things I want to do in the year before I am 30! Some of the items on the list are things I enjoy, some are new habits I hope to take with me into my 30s and some are challenges that I hope I will succeed in. 

When most people set themselves a running challenge, particularly those who have NEVER run before, they choose a local 10k or even a half marathon. Not me, nope, I've managed to get myself a place through the ballot for the London Marathon. 
When I got my London Marathon spot, I couldn't even run 5k...thankfully I started my training back in August 2023!

I'd love to raise £1500 for the three charities I'm supporting this year, and the reasons why I've chosen these charities are detailed below:

York RLFC Foundation (York City Knights) - working for York RLFC means I get a front row seat watching the staff who work for the Foundation give their all to promote the health, education and community participation of people in North Yorkshire. They provide outreach programmes, assist with sport facilities and try to engage people who have a need by reason of youth, age, infirmity or disability, poverty and social welfare using the sport of Rugby League. Any funds donated to them go towards school holiday programmes, programmes that prevent or target social isolation in older people and inclusion programmes for those with additional needs. 

Menfulness - Menfulness is a men's social wellbeing group in York who support and promote improvement in men's lives through activities and counselling. 79% of all suicides are by men and while Menfulness cannot solve every man's issues, not having to face them alone can be a huge help. I've chosen to support Menfulness for the generation of men above me who had to suffer alone, for my male peers who I know have had to use services like this and for the next generation of men who I hope will always have the support pathways available to them and the bravery to speak up and use them. 

The Lily Foundation - my brother lives with mitochondrial disease, and so much about this condition is unknown. The Lily Foundation is the UK's leading mitochondrial disease charity and the largest charitable funder of mitochondrial research in Europe. The more support provided to this charity means it can continue it's work trying to improve the lives of people affected by mitochondrial diseases and towards a future where mitochondrial diseases can be effectively treated or cured. 

All three charities are taken from different areas of my life and each mean a lot to me, so I hope that with the challenges I will be partaking, and your generosity we can reach an overall target of raising £1500!