Kelly Cox

[p]Crossing the line of Brighton Marathon last year I swore to my family who were there to support me "Never Again!!!" [/p][p]Low and behold here we are one year on training for the London Marathon. [/p][p]Running London Marathon has always been a life goal for me and having applied 3 years previously with no joy, then the opportunity arose to run for a local charity I couldn't turn it down.[/p][p]When my application was excepted by HCF I was super excited and also a little nervous about fundraising especially for a charity I knew very little about, but that soon changed.[/p][p]I attended a Marathon meet and greet session with HCF (Hertfordshire Community Foundation) and was instantly motivated and inspired for what the charity does country wide and especially in the community l live in. [/p][p]Predominantly HCF seek to tackle the needs and deprivation by providing grants to small charities and organisations to families and children living in crisis in Hertfordshire. [/p][p]With an estimated 30,000 local children living below the poverty line, 490 people sleeping rough each night, 658 preventable winter deaths from poor living conditions and 25% of residents living with mental health issues, it's hard to ignore and charity really should start at home.[/p][p]HCF have also worked with small charities which resonate with me on a personal level.[/p][p]Cancer Hair Care is an organisation which supports and helps women understand and cope with hair loss during chemotherapy and cancer treatments. This is something I've been involved in during my own career and appreciate the importance of this support. The financial support HCF has given has helped to provide bedside hospital visits for women to sick to leave offering them a chance to pamper and feel like "normal women".[/p][p]HCF have also provided funding to Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline this has enabled the phone lines to reach more people over longer hours. These helplines are a life line for men and women in any abusive relationship wanting help and advice or safe place to talk.[/p][p]Since learning about all the amazing work HCF do I'm no longer worried about fundraising as I know all my friends and family will help me to help such a great cause, I'm now dreading the fact I have to drag myself around another 26 miles!! [/p][p][br][/p][p]Thankyou all in advance for your donations, let's do this!!! [/p][p]Copy and paste the link below for more local facts about the community you live in.[/p][p]https://youtu.be/xtpL4joFCxY[/p][p][br][/p][p][br][/p][p][br][/p][p][br][/p]