Running for Reach Mentoring
On Friday June 25th I am putting on my running shoes and aiming to run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours for Reach Mentoring. This gruelling challenge equates to running almost 2 marathons over the course of the 2 days! Writing those words actually makes me feel a bit queasy! But, all the pain and torture will be worth it to raise vital funds for the important work of Reach.
This will not be the first time that I’ve braved a crazy challenge to fundraise for Reach Mentoring. I took part in the Mourne Wall Challenge back in May 2018 - an equally hellish challenge that nearly broke me! You can read all about it here. And you’d think that after enduring that torturous Mourne Wall Challenge, I’d be put off any future fundraising efforts for Reach! Not a chance! I didn’t hesitate to volunteer myself for this years bonkers endeavour.
You see, not only is Reach close to my heart, but I work for this charity now too. Since March 2021 I’ve been working in a local school with Reach Mentoring through the Engage Programme. For 4 days in each week I come alongside students in an informal, pastoral setting. We meet mostly 1-1 and we chat about how they are doing and how I can best support them on their journey.
It has been a rollercoaster ride of valleys and mountain tops. I’m kept busy but in the best possible way. It is an absolute honour and a privilege to journey alongside our young people, especially as this has been such an incredibly difficult year for many. Reach has been a valued and necessary support for students as they have tried to navigate their way through this pandemic. It has not been an easy journey.
Our young people need better support for their mental health, now more than ever, and a positive presence in school right now is crucial to helping our students cope and thrive both in school and in life. Reach mentors are advocates for our young people, when sometimes there is no-one else. Reach mentors are the encouragers, the cheerleaders and friends when our young people feel like they are on their own.
As I’ve been out doing my training runs over the last few weeks, I’ve been praying for my students. I really don’t enjoy running so my mentees are my main motivation to keep on keeping on. This will most certainly be the case when I’m having to pull on my running shoes at midnight to run another 4 miles, and another, and another. The pain and exhaustion will be worth it to support Reach.
I’ve seen first hand the value and importance of being in school ‘on-the-ground’ so to speak. Schools are overwhelmed right now with young people who are struggling. Their ‘normal’ was thwarted by the pandemic, and there is absolutely no doubt that covid has had a detrimental impact. It has been amazing to be able to be a support for teaching staff too. As an English teacher myself, I know only too well the stresses and strains that come with the job. Teachers have also had an incredibly tough year - you don’t need me to tell you that.
All this to say that I’d really, really appreciate your support as I run this challenge. There are 3 simple ways that you can help the work of Reach:
You can sponsor me (use the box below)
You can pray
You can volunteer as a mentor
Training for the challenge has been going well. I’ve been clocking up my miles in various locations during these last few weeks. I even had my best wee supporter join me on her bike for one of my runs.
I’ve managed to snag a few training runs by the coast too, cooling off after my 4 miles with a welcome dip in the sea!
Finally, many of you will know that I am a Consultant and Leader with Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. Alongside running, I will also be donating my commission from orders placed between now and June 30th to Reach Mentoring. Why not pick up a wee treat while also helping the work of Reach? You can browse and shop here or send me a message to order or to ask a question. Thanks so much!
In all honesty, I am absolutely terrified about this challenge. The very thought of it makes me want to boke. I will start my first run at 8pm on Friday night and run every four hours for the next 48 hours. Your support would mean the world to me and would encourage me to keep putting one foot in front of the other despite the pain and agony. I physically won’t be able to run all 48 miles, but I will walk them, even crawl if I have to, because it’s not about me. It’s about our young people. When I’m at the end of myself, that’s when I remember those pupils who sit in front of me, and the importance of Reach in their lives.
Follow my journey on Instagram and through the blog!