South Lakes MP Tim Farron is to run his first ever London Marathon in a bid to help youngsters affected by the COVID pandemic.
The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP aims to raise funds for South Lakes charity, Brathay Trust, supporting an inclusive youth project aiming to improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of local young people aged 11 to 18.
Brathay Trust will lead the project by working with local providers to help raise the aspirations of young people and broaden their life choices.
Already a keen runner, Mr Farron has completed several running events including the gruelling Langdale Half Marathon whilst raising funds for local charities. However, the event in October will be his first attempt at marathon distance.
“This will be my first ever London Marathon and I am so excited to be doing it for Brathay who have been incredibly supportive,” he said. “It will be really special to take part in the year that the event is returning.
“Many of our local young people have been hit hard by the pandemic, either through isolation, unemployment, or a lack of direction and purpose, resulting in poverty, loneliness and poor mental health.
“It is vital we offer the support they need and as a proactive youth charity already working out in our local community, Brathay is well placed to lead a Kendal-based project that will provide the chance for the town’s most vulnerable young people to get the help they need to boost their wellbeing.”
Mr Farron will be joined by six other runners who have also secured a place to run for Brathay Trust.
The charity, based in Ambleside, touches the lives of over 7,000 young people throughout the North of England every year, through a unique combination of community programmes and life-changing outdoor residential experiences in the Lake District.
