Josh & friends take on Madrid Marathon
Why did you choose to run for It’s Time?
“My Dad died in 2022 after a very short and aggressive cancer. Dad was a really active guy, and I've wanted to do a marathon for a while so it felt like a perfect opportunity to raise some money to help It’s Time continue supporting the young adults who are trying to navigate the world, whilst experiencing the loss and emptiness that comes with grief. I found it helpful to read some of the stories that It's Time put out on Insta, so I wanted to help the charity carry on doing more for others.”
What did you find the most challenging?
“The fundraising was not challenging at all, that was a very motivating and enjoyable experience. It was lovely to see how many donations were coming in, especially from old friends or colleagues that I haven't kept in touch with.
I imagine that a lot of people can relate to the mission of It’s Time. Bereavement will directly or indirectly play a part it most people’s lives before they turn 30, so I think it’s a very relatable issue. The race on the other hand was quite grim - it was hot and hilly - but the crowd keeps you going, and knowing that people have donated is good motivation.”
What was the best bit about your experience?
“Training for the race as a group was a great experience, and getting the boys on board to raise money for the same cause was special. We don't all live in the same area but we kept in touch almost every day for months, and made a weekend of a big training run in the lead up to the race.
Also, having my mum and girlfriend there with me on the day in Madrid, they managed to sprint around the city so that I could pass them 3 or 4 times along the way, and that kept me going. As well as that, it was a great feeling to experience the generosity of all of the people that donated some money; it was great for me and family to see something good coming out the past couple of years.”
Tell us a bit about doing it as a group, did it make things easier?
“It was such a good experience doing the run with my mates - not just the race day, but the training process as well. As a group, we were able to motivate each other during the training and keep spirits high - particularly on a cold Tuesday night in February. We had a group chat going where could share any updates, decent runs and the inevitable injuries that come with training and generally build up a lot of excitement leading up to the event.
When it came to the fundraising, the boys kindly decided to join me in raising money in memory of my Dad which meant we were all running for the same cause. It was great to see many more people we could reach as we had 5 people sharing the link as well as our partners and families, and gave us the best chance to raise as much money as possible.”
Do you have any advice for anyone setting out on a fundraising journey?
“Share your story as far and wide as possible. Where you can, expand your network. Your friends and family can help you even if they’re not joining you in the event, they can spread the word as you never know who may relate to your story, or the charity’s mission. Also if you work in a company, speak to your company too as they may be able to match your donations up to a certain amount. “
