We did our first 5K for charity!

On Sunday 27 October, some of the team at the Young Programme – Islay, Mairi Clare (and family), Josh, Marie and Ryan – took part in Moira's Run in Queen's Park in Glasgow. It would be fair to say that we aren’t seasoned runners and some of us don’t visit the gym as often as we perhaps could do.

However, after Bea Jones, mother of Moira, shared her story at a recent England and Wales Programme, we all wanted to do something to support the incredible work of The Moira Fund. And then Mairi Clare signed us up for the annual 5K run!

After the death of their daughter, Moira Jones, her family set up The Moira Fund so that those working with distressed families could provide for some of those needs which would not otherwise be addressed. Working in partnership with other agencies, The Moira Fund can provide the extra assistance that is not available elsewhere. It makes grants to individuals referred through official organisations, the Police and Victim Support, and to those charities which care for families who have lost a loved one through murder or manslaughter. It is wholly dependent on unpaid volunteers and fundraising. The running costs are very low and any donation made will be used, almost entirely, to help those distressed through homicide.

The day started with some encouraging words from Bea Jones and patron of The Moira Fund, Elaine C Smith. Then came the warm-up, with squats, stretches and star jumps aplenty, and off we went. It was a very hilly course, with one slope known locally as the 'thigh thrasher'. We all got to the end, thanks to the encouragement of volunteer wardens dotted around the course, and received our medals. Ryan even managed a time under 30 minutes!

In total, we raised £1,941 for The Moira Fund – with £841 raised by Josh alone!

Watch this space for our next challenge…