The London Marathon was on Sunday, 21st of April.
Charlotte Cunningham, a supporter of Emmaus SLC, ran the London Marathon to raise money for Emmaus SLC! We feel very honoured to have been chosen as Charlotte’s beneficiary.
We asked Charlotte a few questions about her experience running and why she decided to raise money for Emmaus SLC.
What inspired you to get involved in the London marathon?
I enjoy running and the marathon felt like a great challenge. I ran the Paris marathon 2 years ago but didn’t have much time to train, so I wanted to give London a good go and train properly if I got a place.
How was your experience running in the marathon?
I found the first half fantastic; the crowds were loud, and I managed to spot my family and friends who were supporting me, which is difficult in the busy areas. There was also music and banners, making the whole course come to life and running through Greenwich and over Tower Bridge was like a festival with so many supporters. I found the second half tough; I went a bit slower and took my time. The finish line down the Mall was a great way to end such a long run and I was delighted for a drink at the end with my family and friends!
Why did you decide to raise money for Emmaus SLC?
It was a fairly easy choice. I wanted to raise money for a homelessness charity and my local charity shops in West Norwood are run by Emmaus. I love the way that the Emmaus shops are run, despite being a larger network they are proper charity shops, with kind volunteers and a huge range of goodies to buy!
Have you visited or shopped in Emmaus SLC shops before?
A trip to West Norwood high street doesn’t count unless you have been to at least 2 Emmaus shops! My freezer is from the Emmaus white goods shop, my kitchen table and chairs are from the Emmaus bric-a-brac shop, and I have several other gems like a blue jug that I have also bought from Emmaus. I bought a fleece from Emmaus clothes shop to wear before the marathon, those clothes get collected and sent back to charity shops, so it’s a great way to stay warm.
Is homelessness a subject you’re passionate about?
Homelessness worries me a lot and working close to Trafalgar Square I see a lot of people sleeping on the streets. The cost-of-living crisis and reduced support in many areas means that the work of charities like Emmaus is vital, and I hope to be able to help out more in the future.
Do you have any personal experience with homelessness?
I don’t personally, but I do see how easy it can be for a person to slip into homelessness and be in a position that is difficult to get out of.
Would you recommend others to engage in fundraising activities to raise money and/or awareness for homeless charities?
Absolutely, I think finding a charity that you believe in is so important, I personally wanted to support a cause that feels local, so Emmaus was the perfect fit for me. Sometimes it feels like you need to do something big like a marathon to raise money for charity, but any event that is significant to you could be for charity, a walk or a specific project that you can use to raise money.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Charlotte for choosing to run for us. She successfully raised £467, exceeding her original goal of £300! There is still time to donate to her JustGiving page if you would like to. Find the JustGiving page here.