‘One of the best charities in the UK’ looking to raise £4,000 locally from Bristol 10K
- Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is aiming to double last year’s fundraising total for the Bristol 10K run on 19thMay
- It needs to recruit a further five runners to boost its chances of reaching this target
- The charity is raising funds to allow it to continue offering its vital service in South Gloucestershire. It has now been supporting the community for 50 years
A vital advice charity in South Gloucestershire aims to double its fundraising total from last year’s Bristol 10K challenge.
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire needs to recruit a further five runners to join its existing team of five.
This will mean it will double the number of people who took on the Great Bristol Run last year. The target this year is to raise £4,000 from the event.
This will go towards the charity’s core costs in helping more than 6,000 people in South Gloucestershire per year.
The charity recently celebrated reaching its 50th anniversary – having registered as a charity in April 1974.
The charity helped more than 6,590 people in 2023. This is its largest number of clients on record, and a 20 per cent increase on the previous year.
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire now helps roughly ten times as many clients in need of food bank or charitable support each month as it did prior to the pandemic.
Bristol 10k runner Rosie on her reasons for running
Rosie Stephen, 25, from Southville, recently joined Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire as a Generalist Adviser. She is working with clients who are currently on probation as part of a partnership project with Ingeus. She previously worked for a Citizens Advice office in Scotland.
Despite not thinking of herself as a runner in the past, she is taking part in the Bristol 10K because she feels Citizens Advice is “one of the best charities in the UK” and needs support.
She said: “Citizens Advice is one of the best charities in the UK.
“After joining the team at Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire, I wanted to take part in the run to get more funds through to the office – to make sure clients are getting the support they need, for instance through shorter waiting times.
Describing her training, she said: “I have done a few 5km runs on the flat – especially round Bristol harbourside which is where we will be running. It’s a beautiful run. I do quite a lot of cycling as well which is good for getting your fitness up.
“I think a 10K is quite an accessible run but still challenging. If you’re wanting to get your fitness up, it’s a good way of starting that. Running is so therapeutic as well which makes it enjoyable.”
Runner India on the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis
Runner India Ellis leads the charity’s WARM project, which provides advice to people with low to moderate physical or mental health problems.
She was inspired to run for the organisation as it is a “charity for everyone” which can help with benefits, debt, relationships or any other issue people may need support with.
She joined the South Gloucestershire charity last year having previously volunteered with Citizens Advice Plymouth while studying for her undergraduate LLB Law degree.
India, 23, who lives in Staple Hill, is – along with her colleagues – helping more and more clients who are struggling in the cost-of-living crisis.
She said: “I am running the Bristol 10K for Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire as it is a charity for everyone and it is not a one issue charity and that is really special.
“We can help with benefits, debt, relationships to any other issue you may need support with. We always do our best to answer it.
“Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire can help clients holistically in many instances, which makes it easier for them to progress and I think this is a vital service.
“Clients are coming in more frequently with trouble affording the basics and needing food bank or fuel vouchers.
“There is an increased complexity and quantity with cases coming through the door which can only be attributed to the cost of living.
“This highlights the need for Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire more than ever. We need more Volunteers, Staff and facilities to be able to support these people.
“At present we are booking appointments months in advance and our drop in queues are long as we do not have the resources at present which is why any support or donation is vital.”
How to apply to run the Bristol 10k for us
To sign up and join Rosie and India in taking part in the Bristol 10K, please email: katie.collier@southgloscab.org.uk
Anyone signing up to run will receive an Enthuse fundraising page and a running vest for the day.
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is a local, independent charity which provides free, confidential and impartial advice to anyone who needs it in South Gloucestershire.
Only a portion of its work is covered by local authority funding so every individual donation helps.
It runs face-to-face open-door sessions in Yate, Cadbury Heath, Stoke Gifford, Thornbury, Bradley Stoke, Emersons Green and Lyde Green as well as operating a free Adviceline telephone service.
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/
Published 17/04/24.
