Centrepoint supporters took it all in their stride to raise over £35,000 in the Flora London Marathon on Sunday April 13^th. This year the 16 strong team comprising of both first time marathon goers and seasoned runners, many of whom were supporting Centrepoint for the second consecutive year, took to London’s streets to tackle the 26.2 mile course.

Centrepoint trustee Gill Nunn takes on double marathon challenge

Centrepoint’s runners have been training for months to take on the challenge of the London Marathon and everyone at Centrepoint, including staff and young people would like to congratulate them all for their huge effort, and thank them for their superb support.

Jeremy Gray, Director of services at Centrepoint said: “We are enormously grateful to all of our runners for choosing to support us. Their dedication to training and the determination they have shown in completing the course and raising a fantastic sum of £35,000 will make such a big difference to the young people that Centrepoint supports.”

One Centrepoint team runner who will never forget her marathon experience is Gill Nunn. Gill is on Centrepoint’s board of trustees and has shown incredible dedication by taking on a double marathon challenge, with only one week between them. Gill who ran the London marathon in an impressive 3 hours and 48 minutes will be running the Boston marathon on April 21^st where she will be faced by the marathon’s famous ‘Heatbreak Hill’. Gill has raised £3,500 for Centrepoint through her marathon efforts and it is still possible to sponsor her at www.justgiving.com/gills2marathonchallenge.

Gill said; “As a Centrepoint trustee I know that donations are put to excellent use. Centrepoint does amazing work to turn the lives of homeless young people around to realise their potential and develop the skills and confidence they need for a bright future”.

On completing the first of her two marathons in 3 hours and 48 minutes, Gill said: “It was hard work getting through 26 miles but the atmosphere of today has been absolutely incredible and helps when the going gets tough. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of the next one! Thank you to everyone who has shown their support in sponsoring me”.

Another Centrepoint team runner, New Zealand born Jessie Bloore, will also never forget her marathon experience as she did it on her birthday. On completing the course she said “I’m really sore but have never felt such a great sense of achievement! I was struck by the numbers of homeless young people when I moved to London three years ago, and I really wanted to support Centrepoint. When I found out the marathon was to be on my birthday this year I just had to do it!” Jessie raised £1,500 and had a birthday that she will never forget!

The Centrepoint team was also joined by four employees from law firm Forsters LLP. Forsters nominated Centrepoint as one of their charities to support in June last year.

Ian Leigh from Forsters said: “The marathon has been an unforgettable experience – it was hard work but I’m so proud to have completed it. The efforts that my colleagues and I put into this, from the start of our training up until when we crossed the finish line has been really worthwhile, especially as it has helped raise £10,000 for Centrepoint.”