Bournemouth Half Marathon runners raise vital funds for Home-Start Wessex

LOCAL dads Scott Richmond and Jody Frost have taken on Home-Start Wessex’s ‘Find your 50’ challenge, raising vital funds for the charity which supports Dorset families in crisis. Both men ran the Bournemouth Half Marathon, raising over £700.

For Scott, director of GWE Southern based in Southbourne, Dorset, it was a first fundraising challenge. He said:

“I’m still aching from Sunday, but it was worth it. It was great to run with a friend, achieve something personally and raise funds for Home-Start. As a dad, I know just how important it is to provide a safe and stable environment to raise children in. But some families are really struggling to do that, especially since COVID and the cost-of-living crisis. When I heard about the ‘Find Your 50’ campaign, I wanted to do something to help and support Home-Start, which works tirelessly to help local families in need.”

Jody Frost is becoming something of a fundraising hero for Home-Start Wessex, having already completed the Virtual London Marathon for Home-Start two years ago.

Caroline Pope, Corporate Partnerships & Marketing Manager at Home-Start Wessex, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Jody for stepping into his running shoes again to help raise funds for Home-Start in our 50th year. For 50 years, Home-Start volunteers have been by the side of families facing their most challenging times, providing friendship, advice and practical help. These little moments of support make a huge difference to children’s future health and happiness.

“Here in Dorset, Home-Start Wessex supported a record 402 local families over the past 12 months, transforming the lives of over 1,300 parents and children. Our volunteers make a massive difference to families, and they’ve never been more needed. We supported an additional 156 local families last year, with demand up 63%. More and more families are struggling and reaching out for help.

“We know what we need to do to support local families, and we’re confident we can, but we can’t do it alone. With the support of our amazing local community, we can achieve great things. Together, we will be there for every family who needs us. Because childhood can’t wait, and neither will we.”

To #findyour50, head to the Home-Start Wessex 50th Campaign page for ideas and support. Whether you’re a runner, baker, gamer, gardener, dog walker, car washer, you name it – you can make a difference and help local families in need.

Find out more at https://homestartwessex.org.uk/50-years/ or donate directly at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/homestart50.