Charity Team gives St Loye's Foundation a 'Great West Run' for its money!
Howard Lake | 9 March 2009 | News
Training for the 25th anniversary Great West Run at Exeter Arena on Sunday 3rd May has got off to a flying start for a team of runners from Exeter charity, St Loye’s Foundation (SLF). Team St Loye’s is currently made up of 10 SLF staff, trainees and supporters including the charity’s own Chief Executive, Chris Knee.
Team St Loye’s is asking runners with places in the half marathon to pick SLF as their chosen charity to support and encouraging more runners to sign up to the new shorter 5K run and go the extra mile by raising as much money as they can for the SLF.
Helen Trebble, SLF’s Community Fundraiser who coordinates Team St Loye’s said: “In return for our charity runner’s hard work and fundraising efforts, each runner will receive a high quality Team St Loye’s running vest to keep, 10% discount at Ironbridge Runner in North Street, Exeter, a complimentary post-race massage on the day, courtesy of Holistic Therapies@1, encouragement and unstinting support for the Big Day and lots of loud cheers when they cross the finish line! All we ask is each runner commits to raising as much sponsorship as they can.”
St Loyes Foundation, based in Exeter provides a range of vocational training programmes nationwide to get people with physical and mental health conditions into employment. After 70 years, the charity recently relocated from its campus on Topsham Road in Exeter to new city centre headquarters with the aim of becoming the UK’s principle training provider for people with disabilities and health conditions.
St Loye’s Foundation prides itself in being one of the most active and successful organisations of its kind in the UK and money raised through this years Great West Run will enable people to achieve their work ambitions, gain sustainable employment and build a better life for themselves and their families.
Team St Loye’s are seeking a sponsor for their running vests. For more information and to join the team contact: Helen Trebble on 01392 286205 or email he***********@st*****.uk You can also visit Team St Loye’s fundraising page and sponsor them online at www.justgiving.com/teamstloyes.
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Editors Notes:
For photo opportunities and further information contact Helen Trebble, St Loye’s Foundation:
Tel. 01392 286205.
Email he***********@st*****.uk
Further information about St Loye’s Foundation can be found at www.stloyes.org.uk
Team St Loye’s quotes:
Melanie Wall, External Programmes Coordinator, who has never run before, began her training by scheduling it around her working day at St Loye’s and running between the new offices at Brittany House and the old Topsham Road site. Following a shopping trip to Ironbridge Runner in Exeter for new running shoes to replace her 25 year old trainers, Melanie now feels she is able to run faster and further than she’d hoped! Melanie said:” I have toyed with the idea of running a marathon in the past but have always worked full-time and have 3 children which kept me busy when I was younger. Now I am 47 and have just started running and am wondering if I am nuts!”
She continued: All the hard work and training is worth it though. St Loye’s Foundation really does make a huge difference to the lives of people who otherwise might not have access to training, education and the world of work. I mostly admire the team of staff here who are all genuinely motivated to helping others improve their prospects. Through the public’s support either by running and raising money for us or simply sponsoring us, we can continue to help move others out of the benefit system with all the negativity that it carries and into a brighter, more positive future”.
Hannah Richards, Trainee Administrator at St Loye’s Foundation who is also running for the first time added: “I am really proud to be running on behalf of the charity I work for. St Loye’s Foundation is a lifeline to many adults with disabilities. Until coming here few have the opportunity to find employment either through lack of skills or confidence. St Loye’s Foundation provides support for the trainee along their entire journey and I hope people sponsor our team in the Great West Run to ensure the charity continues to change the lives of adults who really want our help.”
Fiona Peterson, St Loye’s Foundation Admissions Administrator agreed: “I’m running for St Loye’s Foundation because I believe in the organisation. The vision and goals of the company are fantastic and I want to be able to do my part to help more people achieve their employment and ambitions. The Great West Run is also an ambition of mine and I’m looking forward to getting out there, raising lots of money and gaining my own personal sense of achievement.”
Lesley Payne, the charity’s Finance Officer has entered 5K fun runs in the past and having recently celebrated her 50th birthday is now looking forward to the challenge of her first half marathon and competing against her husband who has run twice before. “I am running because I believe in what the charity stands for and the difference it makes to people’s lives. The confidence our trainees get from learning a trade and achieving the qualifications to go out and find a job they enjoy to support them and their family is invaluable. I believe that local people have always been interested in St. Loyes Foundation and I think that by doing this run we will bring attention to the fact that the charity is still here and still needs the support of the local community.”
Kerry Weatherburn, Trusts Fundraiser has worked for the charity for 8 and a half years claimed: “I’ve never so much as run a bath before!” However through tremendous support from her colleagues and Pete Hardy at South West Military Fitness she is progressing well with her training and summed up by saying: “Having been at St Loye’s for so long I truly believe that what we do makes a difference, I’ve seen it for myself. Training is difficult, but the charity motivates me to push myself hard. I really feel I can do this!”
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.