YMCA Runner’s Newsletter
Virgin London Marathon 2010 Issue 1
February ‘10
Put some oomph in your fundraising
Welcome Welcome to the first edition of the Team YMCA London Marathon Newsletter. There are just 10 weeks to go before the big day and no doubt your training is well underway. In order to keep that motivation going, this newsletter is packed with training tips, fundraising ideas and those all important motivational messages.
Fill up your fuel tank Are you watching what you’re eating? The correct diet is incredibly important when training for a marathon. By filling up on carbohydrates, eating adequate protein and watching your fat intake, you can ensure your body is prepped and ready to go the distance. For more information on choosing the right diet, check out our marathon nutrition guide.
Helping young people build a future
If you haven’t already, set up a fundraising page at www.justgiving.com and send the link to family, friends and colleagues. Your company may even agree to match your sponsorship, so it’s always worth asking. But don’t just stop there. Why not organise some mini fundraising events to help boost your fundraising? You could ask people to donate unwanted items to auction off on eBay, hold a coffee morning or ask your local school or church to hold a sponsored event. Remember, pennies make pounds, so every effort counts.
YMCA Runner’s Newsletter
Virgin London Marathon 2010 Issue 1
What your legs are worth to homeless young people During a particularly gruelling training session, it can be difficult to feel positive about what you’ve committed to. But remember: your legs are worth an enormous amount to a lot of people. Housing and homelessness is just one of the areas in which we work. Did you know that in the last year alone, 23,000 young people aged 16-24 were officially registered as homeless? The YMCA is the largest provider of safe, supported accommodation in England, providing over 7,000 homeless young people with a safe place to sleep every night. But homeless young people need more than just a bed; they need holistic practical and emotional support in order to get back on their feet. During their stay, we provide each young resident with a dedicated support worker to help them rebuild their life. We also offer a huge range of services to help them move towards independent living, from cooking and budgetmanagement classes to counselling, recreational activities and work experience schemes. So thank you. Because every penny you raise and every mile you run means a better future for young people in need. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the big day, check out www.virginlondonmarathon.co.uk or contact us at events@ymca.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!
The London Marathon Support Team 0845 873 6633 events@ymca.org.uk. www.events.ymca.org.uk
Helping young people build a future
February ‘10
Be inspired “We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.” Emil Zatopek, 3-time gold medal winner at the 1952 Summer Olympics.