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Erica’s running the London Marathon 2020

January, 2020

Four years ago she couldn’t run to catch a train, this year she’s signed up to run more than 26 miles for charity. Erica Jones, account manager at Kent PR and marketing agency Maxim, explains why fundraising for charity is about more than asking for cash.

Scroll through the articles on this web page and you’ll find a selection of public relations-themed items: client news, Maxim news, comment and advice. So what does one employee running the London Marathon have to do with any of this?

Well, if I’m honest, it’s partly because the bosses said I could put something about my fundraising onto the website, in the hope of a little extra sponsorship (click here). However, taking part in any kind of charity fundraising activity is actually about so much more than ‘just’ the fundraising. Yes the money is important, but the awareness-raising for the charity can also make a massive difference – and my place in the marathon was given to me by a charity.

Applying for the marathon

As you may know, places in the London Marathon are like gold dust. More than 457,000 people applied for one of 40,000 ballot places in the 2020 event, with just a couple of thousand more places allocated by other ways. I got my place through those other ways.

I’ll be running the 26 miles and 385 yards to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. I applied to run for this organisation because it’s a charity that means a lot to me. However I won my place because I have a story to tell – a story that can help raise awareness of both the charity’s services and, I hope, give hope to others.

Raising awareness

Cancer is a horrible thing. It’s a fairly bland word but attached to it is so much fear and pain that even a passing mention can put a shadow on a day. As for waiting for test results or having the news confirmed, it doesn’t bear thinking about. Things shouldn’t be that way. Cancer treatment has come on in leaps and bounds and survival rates in the UK continue to rise.

You see a cancer diagnosis is a fact of life, not an end of it, and the people at Macmillan are invaluable for helping us to understand that.

They are experts in helping to ensure life goes on, because it does: the children still have to go to school; the dust continues to build up; the cat needs to be fed, the shopping to be bought… and all this will continue to go on when the all clear comes through later, which it often does. Or if the worst happens, someone from Macmillan is still there for those who remain. They offer support and clarity at a time when it can feel like the end of the world.

This is the message I want to share. If you, a family member or friend have cancer, life can be okay and Macmillan is here for you. Please contact them online or by phone on 0808 808 0000.

A young me with my Mum – can you guess when my love of cats began?

My story

Unfortunately my family’s story doesn’t have a happy ending, so I’m leaving it here, but my family’s encounter with Macmillan and the support they gave was 100 per cent positive and made all the difference to our lives. Countless friends and family also have their own Macmillan stories to share – including stories with happy endings. All of this adds up to making me determined to raise as much awareness and money as possible so people can continue to hear about and benefit from the support services available.

Also, five and a half hours is a heck of a long time to run for someone who hasn’t been running for many years. Please give generously!

I've got a sponsor form as long as my cat – please help me to fill it!

 

Erica Jones - Account Director

Erica Jones

Maxim / Account Director

posted in: maxim/client news,

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