London Marathon

[p]This year I am counting myself lucky enough to be able to run the London Marathon for the third time for my chosen charity, the Book Trade Charity (formerly known as the Book Trade Benevolent Society BTBS). [/p][p]I first ran this race for the charity in 2013, at the tender age of 48 and not having run any great distance since leaving school. It is fair to say it has been a life changing event and I now regularly run half marathons around the country, with the odd full one to keep me on my toes.[/p][p]Having worked in the Book Trade in one role or another for my entire career, being able to raise money for the main trade charity is something I feel very strongly about.[/p][p]Established 1837, BTBS is the book trade’s own welfare charity, offering help to anyone who has worked in the trade (employed, self-employed or freelance) in a range of roles across publishing, distribution and bookselling and who has a problem, whether personal, financial or health related. The Charity offers direct financial assistance to individuals in need through its Grants programme, giving over one hundred and sixty thousand pounds in 2016 and subsidised housing for some forty people at Kings Langley in Hertfordshire and thirty people at Whetstone in London. It has recently launched new initiatives to support young people entering the trade and undertaking internships. BTBS helps around 200 people a year, in circumstances which include disability, long-term illness, redundancy, debt including rent arrears, poverty, carer situations. I really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations - all eligible for gift aid, of course.[/p]