Getting the running shoes on for fostered children

Fundraising isn't always glamourous. It can take the form of a group of friends or colleagues taking part in a Tough Mudder endurance event, or it could be a fostering family coming together with their community to take part in something a bit more genteel. It may even be a member of The Fostering Network's fundraising team pushing back the years to take part in a marathon. But fundraising is always valued by the charity, and the people we work with right throughout the UK.

Today we're talking to Ruth, who decided to fundraise for The Fostering Network by running the Ealing half-marathon after hearing about our work through a friend.

Why did you decide to fundraise for The Fostering Network?

I wanted to support a charity that focused on helping the children here in the UK who are most in need. Foster carers, with the help of The Fostering Network, do a crucial job of looking after many of these children - some of whom have challenging mental or physical health issues. I have several friends who have been adopted or have adopted children, and through conversations with them, I have learnt about the role that foster carers play. For some children, fostering is a temporary part of their story, and for others it is a long-term situation. In both of these scenarios, fostering is such a valuable part of providing children with a healthy and happy upbringing. As such, it deserves our support.

What do you see the role of fostering in our society to be?

In addition to the things I mentioned in answering the previous question, I think it's really wonderful that fostering is entirely focused on the welfare of the young people involved. Fostering provides support for children and young people as they experience difficult situations and gives them stability and love when otherwise these things might be lacking, due to all kinds of different situations.
 
Do you think you would ever foster?

It's something that I would definitely consider, at a time when my circumstances would allow me to devote the time and energy that is required of a foster carer. I have so much admiration for the people who do it! 

What’s it like training for a half-marathon?

As this is my first half-marathon, it's been a really fun challenge. Every time I increase the distance that I'm running, it's a new experience and so far it's going well. With each step, I have been surprising myself with what I can achieve. It has meant that I've had to be organised though, so that I am running regularly and building up the distance gradually. For example, I've had to fit in runs whilst I've been on holiday, which I probably wouldn't have done otherwise! I'm managing to make time for it though and have been running to work as a way of fitting in running without having to reorganise my life too much. I keep reminding myself how much harder it would be to train for a marathon - that puts it into perspective. 13.1 miles is plenty for me! 
 
Do you like running, and do you envisage liking running after you get over the finishing line?
 
I do like running, and I still feel surprised when I say it, as I hated it when I was at school, and have only started running recently. After a run, I feel energised and happy, which is a great incentive to get out, whatever the weather. But now that I'm a more confident runner than when I first started, I also enjoy my runs when I'm doing them, not just at the end. It's a great way to clear your head, because you have to focus on your breathing and just putting one foot in front of the other. It allows me to push lots of other things out of my mind, and it's ended up being a good way of solving problems and figuring things out too!

Do you think it will be worth all the effort?
 
Absolutely! It feels wonderful to be able to combine doing something that is an enjoyable challenge for me with raising money for such a fantastic cause. Hopefully my fundraising will have introduced the work of The Fostering Network to people who didn't know about the charity too.

Absolutely anything else you wish to say?

If you fancy coming down to Ealing on Sunday 27th September to cheer me on, I'll see you there. Otherwise, wish me luck!

If you feel inspired by Ruth, then you can support huge amazing efforts by visiting her fundraising website, and if you think after all of this you'd like to take up your own challenge - then have a look right here!