Bath Half Marathon runners supporting region by helping charity double its impact face-to-face
- Two runners are representing the region by taking on the Bath Half Marathon to raise funds for Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire
- The money raised will help the charity pay for renovation costs at its new home – which will allow it to double the number of clients it helps face-to-face
- The move is needed at a time more people are using the charity’s services than ever – particularly those in need of emergency support such as foodbanks
Two brave runners are representing the whole of South Gloucestershire by taking on the Bath Half Marathon to raise funds for an independent advice charity.
The boost to Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire comes at a time when more people are needing help than ever before.
The runners will take on the challenge on Sunday 15th October, with all sponsorship money raised going towards the charity.
This will help the charity fund the renovation costs of its new home in Yate – allowing it to double the number of people it helps face-to-face.
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is an independent charity and in need of individual donations to help it meet its £30,000 fundraising goal.
The move is needed due to the highest demand for help the charity has seen in its 49-year history
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire helped 5,900 people in 2022-23 – a number 50 per cent higher than the year before.
Worryingly, it is now seeing ten times as many people needing crisis support such as referrals to foodbanks as it was three years ago.
Krystal is taking on the Bath Half Marathon for the charity
One of the runners – Krystal Jarvis, from Yate – previously ran for the charity earlier this year at the Great Bristol Run.
The team of runners at that event – measuring 10km in distance – raised more than £1,800.
Krystal has now been training hard to face the longer Bath Half Marathon.
Krystal, 35, a Sales Adviser, said: “I want to take part in the Bath Half for Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire to help raise awareness of their relocation fundraising.
“I feel the drop-in sessions are so important. Having the extra rooms and accessibility to offer this will be so valuable to those seeking advice.
“The training has been a major step up from the 10km plan. Overall It has helped improve my fitness and endurance, so it’s a win win – getting to help a local charity at the same time.
“I am feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement for the Bath Half Marathon, but am really looking forward to the event and completing the race whilst raising awareness of Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire.”
The charity’s need for a new home
The charity currently does not have enough advice rooms to cope with the demand.
People are having to squeeze into the small waiting room, with people sitting on the floor and queuing outside just to see someone to get the help they desperately need.
The current building near Yate Leisure Centre is not accessibility-friendly, with no public toilets on-site and people needing to leave mobility scooters and pushchairs outside.
The charity has outgrown its premises and does not have enough desk space to enable its Volunteer Advisers to have the room they need.
The charity has secured a bigger premises at Badminton Court, Station Road, near Yate Railway Station, which will allow it to see many more clients at any one time.
The current offices only provide four advice rooms for clients – while the new home would allow the charity to create eight advice rooms.
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is an independent, local charity which means it does not automatically get funding from national Citizens Advice or the Government.
It is reliant on generous donations and grants to sustain its local services.
Anyone in South Gloucestershire seeking free, independent, impartial and confidential advice from Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire can call 0808 278 7947.
The charity’s opening times and contact details are available at: www.southgloscab.org.uk/get-advice/visit-us/
- To donate to the runners, please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bathhalfcasg
- Readers are also invited to give to the charity’s premises appeal at: https://www.southgloscab.org.uk/get-involved/donatetoday/our-premises-appeal/
Published 11/10/23.
