Southampton Marathon – 5th May 2019
Kevin Sawers from Hedge End will be running the Southampton Marathon next month (May 2019) in aid of us.
The 41-year-old, who is a member of Hedge End Running Club and competed in the 2006 London Marathon, will run to raise awareness and funds for us.
Kevin says: “Communicare does vital work helping to reduce people’s feelings of loneliness and isolation across the city, so I am delighted to be able to do my bit to help them do more.
“As a runner, I know how important it is to have a network of friends who support you and I also understand the importance of belonging to a group, sharing experiences and looking after each other. These are all the things that Communicare does in its work.
“I’m a member of Hedge End Running Club. Last summer I took part in the cross-country races, which local clubs compete in on Wednesday evenings. The Hedgie team spirit made those races a truly memorable experience. There was great camaraderie. The feeling of friendship and shared interests we have together is priceless, so I can understand how Communicare’s work, bringing lonely and isolated people together, is an essential and much needed service in our city.
“I’ve been running for 15 years, but I had a long break and started again two years ago. The work Communicare does inspired me to do the Southampton Marathon.
“I started running when a friend and I got it in to our silly heads to do the London Marathon. I got back into it two years ago because I remembered that running made me feel good and healthy, and I enjoyed being with other like-minded people. I’m a much nicer person when I’m running regularly.
“I am hoping to complete the race in three hours 45 minutes, which will be very much a personal best. My only previous marathon effort in London took more than seven hours, thanks to a gammy knee.”
The Southampton Marathon takes place on May 5, 2019. Anyone wishing to sponsor Kevin can do so via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/communicaremarathon2019.
Our Manager, Annie Clewlow, explains: “Our charity is all about kind-heartedness and our aim is to help eradicate loneliness in Southampton, so we’re indebted to people like Kevin who understand what we do and put themselves forward to help raise invaluable awareness and funds for our work.
“There’s still time for anyone else who would like to run for us to come forward. We’d love to hear from anyone keen to take part. They can message us via social media, call us 023 8021 6022 or email me manager@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.”