Julian runs to help charity

AN adviser who helps people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis is running to raise money for the charity he works for.

Julien Bristow-Goldschmidt, who lives in Fishponds, will run the Great Bristol Run's 10k race in May for Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire.

The charity has seen a tenfold increase in the number of people it is referring to foodbanks because they can’t afford to eat compared to 2019 – up from around six a month to 60 per month - as well as five times as many people with energy debts over the same time period.

Julien works on the national Help To Claim service, and helps five to ten people each day apply for Universal Credit and other benefits.

Julien, who is 32, was born and grew up in the former East German city of Frankfurt an der Oder, moving to Bristol in 2016.

He remembers having to choose between being able to eat at home in the evening or having a school dinner the next day.

He said: “I was born just before Germany reunited. East Germany was the poorest area in Germany and we were really poor growing up - my sister, my brother, my parents.

“I know how it is when you have next to nothing.

“I feel it’s crazy to see how many people are in employment and still have to claim benefits because they are not being paid enough.”

To sponsor Julien visit bit.ly/3Iz4SHF online.