This month we wanted to share something different with you, which marks a special milestone for our charity...
We are proud to introduce Angie Paul and Claire Rushen - our two 2026 London Marathon runners who are taking on the challenge of being our first ever Anglia Care Trust (ACT) runners through our two charity bond places.
This year’s marathon places were offered to all staff and volunteers through a fair and open draw, ensuring everyone who wanted to had an equal opportunity to put their names forward. It was important for us to include our volunteers as they are such a crucial part of what we do - we value them not simply as helpers, but as an integral part of our ACT team. Angie and Claire, volunteers in our Appropriate Adult service, were drawn and both were eager to take part in this landmark event and to raise money for ACT’s Empowerment Fund.
Running a marathon is no small achievement and our runners are already building up the miles – fitting their training runs around work, family life, everyday responsibilities and volunteering for us!
But what makes their effort especially powerful is the reason behind every mile they run:
Angie says “This will be my first ever marathon. While I have completed a half-marathon many years ago, I admit I’m not a natural runner by any means. However, I will cross that finish line regardless of the time it takes and it will be a deeply meaningful moment for me. It represents not only a major achievement ticked off my bucket list, but also a celebration of resilience and determination. Fair representation, support and empowerment are at the heart of what Anglia Care Trust does, and those values align completely with my own. By running the London Marathon for ACT, I am combining personal challenge with purpose — helping to raise vital funds and awareness for a cause I truly believe in.”
Claire will also tick off a bucket list moment:
“I've been entering the ballot for London for around 14 years, much longer than I've actually been running, but have never got a place. It’s extra special to be running for ACT. I think what we do is really important and it will make it easier on the day knowing I'm raising money as well as fulfilling a lifetime ambition. Giving up is not an option! I've also learnt loads over the 7 years at ACT and met some great people - it'll be great to raise some money for a cause I believe in.”
The funds raised through their efforts will be going to our Empowerment Fund. This is funded purely by donations for ad hoc expenses that cannot be covered by grants or local authority funding and helps us fulfil our aim to empower those we support. It provides money for things like:
- Travel and clothing allowances for interviews for our unemployed service users
- Furniture for those that we house
- Clothing and toys for families that have fled their homes.
If reading this has inspired you, here’s how you could help us …
As the day approaches, our runners will be drawing strength not only from their training, but also from the encouragement of our supporters. You can help by sharing their fundraising pages or making a donation - no matter the size, every show of support makes a difference.
We are also inviting local businesses to support by donating gifts or prizes to help them with their raffles and fundraising events. Contributions such as vouchers, products or experiences would play a vital role in boosting fundraising efforts and motivating our runners as they prepare for this challenge.
If you would like to donate a prize to the cause, please contact louisecracknell@angliacaretrust.org.uk and she will co-ordinate this with our runners.
To follow or sponsor our runners, please use the links below:
www.justgiving.com/page/angela-paul-4
www.justgiving.com/page/claire-rushen-4
From our runners and all at ACT, we thank you for your continued support.
