My Story

On 2 October I will be attempting my first ever marathon, the London marathon.

I will be running to help raise funds for a small charity – the 999 Club – based in Deptford in south-east London. The 999 Club does an outstanding job in helping people in south-east London who are homeless and those who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Many of us take a roof over our head for granted. It is, sadly, all too easy to forget that that is not the case for everyone. People from all kinds of backgrounds and for all kinds of reasons may find themselves homeless. And being homeless will often compound the desperate problems already faced by those who are homeless.

That’s where the 999 Club comes into its own. At its Gateway centre in Deptford people who have nowhere to live or who may be sleeping rough can have a shower, do their laundry and eat breakfast. They can access healthcare from visiting nurses, mental health workers and health professionals and receive advice and support on employment issues and the help they may be entitled to through housing provision and benefits. They can also use the Centre’s computers for job searches, benefits claims and housing applications. The Centre also aims to help those who may have housing problems and may be at risk of becoming homeless. Another aspect of the 999 Club which has greatly impressed me is their support to women and the opening of the Women’s Sanctuary opened in February this year, providing services for women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, particularly in light of increased cases of domestic violence.

I count myself as extremely fortunate to have a roof over my head and am delighted and enormously grateful to the 999 Club to have an opportunity to help raise some funds for their very worthy work. The 999 Club is based very close to Blackheath where I grew up and which is the start of the London marathon. It is also the local charity which All Saints church in Blackheath, which has been the backdrop on the Heath for the start of each of the London marathons, has chosen to support this year.

It’s not easy fitting in training for the marathon with work commitments, but as a nurse working in London I’m aware of the importance of physical and mental health and how seriously these may be affected by life-changing events such as homelessness. Any physical or moral support which you may be able to provide in helping me complete my first ever marathon – cheering me on the big day in October or otherwise – and of course any financial support in sponsoring me would be hugely appreciated by me and the 999 Club.

Everyone needs help to fulfil their potential. The people who come to the 999 Club are no different from anyone else but the challenges they face are greater than those faced by most of the rest of us. The 999 Club can make a big difference to the lives of the people they help. The work being undertaken by the 999 Club is inspirational and I’m really keen to support their work and to encourage others to do so too.

Thank you for taking time to read this. Further details of the incredible work and support of the 999 Club can be accessed via its website: 999 Club charity - Making Change Count for Homeless People in London.