Maddy's Half Marathon for Breadwinners

One of our dedicated volunteer mentors will soon be going one step further for Breadwinners as she runs the Bath Half! We had an amazing conversation with Maddy, talking about how she has been preparing for the half marathon, which is not just for personal achievement but as a heartfelt contribution to the Breadwinners cause. From Maddy's voice, you could sense how much this cause truly means to her.

Training Challenges and Triumphs

When asked about her training, Maddy confessed, "I absolutely have not done a half marathon before. I'm not really a runner, so it’s been quite challenging but very rewarding." Despite this being her first one, Maddy has stuck to a structured training plan, exploring different London parks to keep her runs fresh. Training through the winter posed its own set of challenges, but Maddy's dedication has remained strong through the dark and stormy months, finding joy in both the struggle and the clear blue-sky days.

Discovering Breadwinners: The Perfect Match

Speaking on how she first found out about Breadwinners, Maddy shared, "I knew I wanted to volunteer where I could make more one-to-one relationships." A Google search led her to Breadwinners, an organisation she instantly connected with, especially since it was conveniently located in her beloved Brixton and it gave her the chance to have a personal relationship with whomever she was helping, something she had always longed for. Her love for bread was just the tempting cherry on top.

The decision to dedicate her half marathon to Breadwinners came to Maddy during a Breadwinners social , where mentors and mentees shared experiences. The whole experience on that day touched her deeply — the music, the food, the overall celebration, and the uplifting spirit in the air. Witnessing the mentees gain confidence was particularly moving for her. Maddy feels that Loveleen, her mentee, taught her more than she taught Loveleen, giving her a fresh perspective on life and embracing more opportunities that present themselves as well as appreciating the incredible things accessible to her in London. This emotional and eye-opening experience added to what inspired Maddy to take on the challenge of a half marathon for Breadwinners.

Fundraising

Talking about fundraising, Maddy mentioned she's not really a pro at it. She doesn't have a fixed strategy; instead, she's been sharing her marathon journey on different platforms. The cool part? People are responding positively, starting interesting conversations, and some even want to be mentors now. It's been a pleasantly surprising ripple effect, and Maddy's pretty open to new ideas in this fundraising adventure.

So far she has raised an amazing £280 of her £500 target, and with your help she will make it over that finish line on 17 March! You can donate to Maddy’s fundraiser for Breadwinners by clicking on the button below. Your money will go towards helping more young people to complete our programmes with the fantastic one-to-one help and support of dedicated volunteer mentors like Maddy. 

Advice for Potential Volunteers: Embrace the Journey

For those considering volunteering for Breadwinners, Maddy had this to say: "It's so much more than I expected. Such brilliant people, so kind and welcoming, and incredibly inspirational." She emphasized the rich experiences and the satisfaction that comes from making a positive impact on someone's life.

If you’d like to read more about becoming a volunteer with us, you can do so here: become a volunteer mentor.

Countdown to Half Marathon Day

As the half marathon day approaches, Maddy shared her training routine, emphasising the need for distraction through podcasts and an uplifting playlist. She's open to tips from seasoned runners, especially for race day, and welcomes song recommendations to keep her spirits high. In Maddy's marathon journey, every step echoes the determination to contribute to a cause she deeply believes in.

Stay tuned for updates on Maddy's marathon journey and how her strides make a lasting impact on the Breadwinners community.

How you can help

You can donate to Maddy’s fundraiser here!

Or, if you feel inspired to run or do a challenge for Breadwinners we would love to hear from you! Please get in touch with us at hello@breadwinners.org.uk.