Porchlight takes up running in Kent!

Homelessness charity Porchlight is encouraging its residents and service users to take up running as part of a new initiative with Run Kent, the local programme which aims to get more people running in the county.

Two of Porchlight’s staff members have been trained to become qualified Run Leaders and are now offering sessions in Whitstable, Canterbury and Tonbridge as part of the charity’s sporting programme.

“We believe that taking part in sport is a great motivator and an excellent way to encourage vulnerable people to change their lives for the better,” stated Porchlight’s Richard Barnard (pictured above). “Our running sessions have started slowly but participants are already improving their wellbeing and enjoying increased health and fitness, as well as the sense of achievement after completing a goal.  We’re hoping some will go on to take part in races or local parkrun events. Running is accessible to everyone and we hope that this new initiative will encourage our service users to develop a sporting habit for life.”

Run Kent has offered additional support to the charity by supplying second hand trainers and running kit from local running groups.

Lucy Tomlinson, Run Kent Activator, commented: “We didn’t want the lack of kit, especially trainers, to be a barrier to people having a go.  I put out a request, on behalf of Porchlight, to all the local running groups in Kent and I was inundated with donations of kit and trainers. A huge thanks to all the Run Leaders who kindly collected the kit and who continue to do so.  I’m sure it’s going to come in very useful over the coming months!”

Porchlight also received support at this year's Mount Ephraim 10k in Canterbury. Organised by Nice Work, the race proceeds were passed on to the Charity to help it's work with homelessness in Kent.  The event proved a great success and the Charity are already looking forward to working with the race organisers and all the runners again in 2016.
 

• To find out about Porchlight and the vital work that they do, please visit: www.porchlight.org
• If you’d like to become a qualified Run Leader and set up your own running sessions in your local area, please visit: www.runengland.org/lirf