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Student goes the extra mile to raise money for child charity
03/05/2024
A Sociology degree student in her first year of studies at the University of Wolverhampton went that extra mile by running the London Marathon recently.
Courtney-Mae Allison, 19, ran the UK’s second-largest annual road race to raise money for the charity Barnardo’s.
While Courtney described herself as always being a runner, this was her first ever marathon.
She said: “I went on a run and thought why not apply and see what happens, and then reality hit and I actually did get accepted so I thought let’s just do it! I thought of it as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I’d never even done a half-marathon before, so it’s very different to what I usually do, but you’ve got to take a big step in life sometimes.”
The charity Barnardo’s is the UK’s largest children’s charity working with young people up and down the country who have had some experience in the care system during their life, and this is a subject close to Courtney’s heart.
“I was put into the care system when I was very, very young and been in quite a few homes. Each home was different, I’ve definitely seen the negative side of how carers can be and eventually I’ve got the positive side and I’ve found my family. It’s definitely something that I think people don’t actually realise how hard it can be because you do face a lot of challenges in life with it. When you’re young you don’t really understand at all, it wasn’t until I was 13 I knew the reasons why I was in care.
“My story is unique to me, and that’s the motivation for me to do this. I know how much of a difference this is going to make, I know this is going to help a lot of young people and I think it hits you that I’m really doing something that’s good in the world.
“Although you are never going to meet the people whose life that it changes, you will read about it and it’s very, very emotional but a very positive feeling.”
Courtney received support from her brother, who is also a runner and has previously completed the London marathon twice. He gave her advice with regards to nutrition and her training and Courtney labelled her brother as being her “rock”.
Courtney has raised over £2,500 and is still taking donations - head to her page at JustGiving.
For more information about studying degree courses in the Faculty of Business, Arts and Social Sciences check out the website or book a place on one of our Open Days.
This article was written by Media and Journalism student, Callum Burgess.
ENDS
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