News

Our Bridge House service was given a boost recently with the support of a charity runner at the Hampton Court half marathon

Jas Uppal, a Psychology Facilitator in the Prison Service started joining her colleagues on park runs, (running 5k each week) when she moved to London during lockdown. Prior to this, she had never taken part in a race. She was determined to run twice per week and was held accountable at work by signing up to Strava. Jas’ initial goal was to run a 10k by Christmas, which she achieved around October. She increased the distance and set a goal of running a half-marathon. That’s when she decided to run the Hampton Court half marathon and raise money for charity.

Jas knew that she wanted to raise money for a smaller charity and one that meant a lot to her. She wanted to find a charity focussed around helping women who have faced some sort of difficulty in their life. Her mother is a single mother who has faced hardship and witnessing this has really helped Jas to appreciate the strength a woman has and how raising children on their own is not an easy job. When she saw the work that our Bridge House service does, she felt motivated to support other women.

Jas’ initial target was £200, and she achieved this early on after circulating her JustGiving page to family and friends, so she raised the target to £250. This target was also reached, and she continues to fundraise via social media and work.

The mothers and children at Bridge House are very thankful to Jas and made her a banner of support and encouragement before Sunday’s race. The women said:

“We are all very grateful to Jas for taking on the marathon to raise funds on behalf of Bridge house families, thank you and good Luck!

Good Luck Jas!!

It is a lovely thing you are doing and perhaps you could visit one day for a coffee morning to see Bridge House and the kids will make some cakes for you!”

Needless to say, Jas did indeed complete the race, and she did it in her estimated time of 2 hours and 16 minutes.

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If you would like to donate to Jas’ fundraising efforts, please visit her JustGiving page.

Everyone at SIG and in particular the Bridge House service is grateful to Jas for her efforts.

Thank You Jas!