Evening Standard marathon stars race to help London’s homeless
The marathon saw tens of thousands on the streets of London and others around the world completing their own 26.2-mile route “virtually” on Sunday October 3.
Of those who participated in Sunday’s Virgin Money London Marathon, seven were taking on the challenge in aid of the Standard’s Homeless Fund.
Each runner wore on-brand ESI Homeless Fund running gear, generously donated by PB Leisure Wear.
The Homeless Fund has raised over £1.4million since November 2019, securing the opening of Central London’s first ever 24/7 homeless women’s refuge in Marylebone.
Other projects funded include a Women’s Development Unit run by The Connections At St Martins, which will recommend a strategy to finally end women’s homelessness.
The funds have also been used to finance an array of projects such as psychotherapy support for women, debt and housing advice, and specialist training for third sector staff to help them support homeless women who have faced domestic abuse.
As the campaign approaches its close, all the remaining funds will be distributed to projects helping to combat homelessness.
Our runners have collectively raised over £22,000, funds which have proved vital over the course of the campaign in getting projects started.
Islington-based primary school teacher Paul Beeton, 41, who completed the marathon in an impressive 3 hours and 41 minutes, said: “I have trained for nearly 2 years for this race and after the 20 mile mark I went through every emotion. The battle to the finish line perfectly reflected the even harder struggles of those we have raised the money for; I am so proud to have run for the Homeless Fund.”
Maya Trilling, 26, who flew over from her hometown Chicago to take part before she moves to London next year, described the experience as “amazing - the crowd, the weather, the marathoner energy. It was such a fun way to explore the city, not to mention an amazing cause to fundraise for, which was motivation throughout the whole race.”
You can sponsor the runners by clicking on their names below:
