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Kevin to run Southampton Marathon in aid of Communicare
| Published: 15th April 2019 10:51 |
KEVIN Sawers from Hedge End will be running the Southampton Marathon next month (May 2019) in aid of a charity that helps eradicate loneliness in the city of Southampton.
The 41-year-old, who is a member of Hedge End Running Club and competed in the 2006 London Marathon, will run for Communicare to raise awareness and funds for the charity.
Kevin said: "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 likeminded 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 will take place on May 5, 2019. Anyone wishing to sponsor Kevin can do so via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/communicaremarathon2019.
Manager at Communicare, Annie Clewlow, explained: "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."
Communicare, which is based in the heart of Southampton, is a friendly, neighbourhood charity that enriches the lives of lonely and isolated people in and around the city with the help of its band of Communiteers, who give their time freely.
"Our services are run by us and staffed by our committed, kind-hearted, Communiteers, who generously provide their practical and emotional support on a very local level."
Communicare's Good Neighbours' Network supports nearly 350 individuals/families annually in Southampton, covering more than 600 different tasks such as one-to-one befriending and transport to activities. All the assistance offered is free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able to, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
"We know people worry about giving up their time and may feel this is a huge commitment. We appreciate everyone is busy, but we find even the busiest person has a few minutes each day to make a phone call or to drop in and see a neighbour when they are passing.
"You might also be able to tag on to your own shopping trip getting a few items for a neighbour too. We're not asking for complicated, overly time-consuming tasks, just simple ones that can be incorporated into your daily routine as needed.
"Communiteers are offered simple and basic training on topics such as safeguarding, manual handling and developing listening skills should they wish to take it up. They can choose their level of involvement and the types of activities they wish to engage in too."
To find out more about Communicare, to take part in the Southampton Marathon or to become a Communiteer, please call 023 8021 6022, visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk or follow the charity on Twitter at @Communicare_SO or log on to www.facebook.com/CommunicareInSouthampton.
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