In October I have decided to go BIG and run my first ever Half Marathon in Rome. Considering this time last year, I would have laughed at the thought of even running in a 5k event, this is pretty huge for me.

Although a large part of me entering this race is to personally push myself, the idea of being able to support a worthy cause whilst doing so is the best form of motivation! Some of you may know that I spent 2 weeks during Easter volunteering with an organisation called ‘Restart Africa’ in Gigil, Kenya. https://www.restartafrica.org

‘Restart is the name for The Sanata Charitable Trust, which is a registered charity and consists of two Trusts, one based in the United Kingdom, the other in Gilgil, Kenya. The purpose of the UK Trust is to generate funds for the development and ongoing costs of the Restart Children’s Centre.’

Ever since I returned home, I have been thinking of what I could do to continue supporting Restart. Through building personal relationships with many of the children and learning about their heartfelt backgrounds, raising money by running in the Rome Half Marathon is just one of the things I will be doing to support.

Restart look after over 100 children who have suffered or are suffering with many forms of abuse, neglect and other forms of deprivation. They are currently one of the only safe, secure and friendly sites that allows these children to rebuild their lives into something they never could have imagined. Although the children have been through so much, my one main takeaway was seeing how constantly happy and joyful they all were on a daily basis, putting their struggles aside and building a community like I have never seen before.

With absolutely zero funding from the Kenyan government, the only way to ensure Restart continues providing in the way they do, is through the help of volunteers and generous donations. I am looking to raise as much as I possibly can by the start of the half marathon on the 19th October. This money will provide all the children I worked so closely with, suitable resources, educational fees, clean water, and food. Any donation at all will be greatly appreciated and I know so greatly received by the beautiful children/team at Restart.