FirstLight Trust is proud to announce its participation in the Great South Run on 20th October 2024 as the opening event for its ambitious Million Miles Matters fundraising campaign. This campaign aims to raise £500,000 over the next 12 months to support veterans and their families, alongside those who have served in the emergency services.
The Million Miles Matters campaign symbolises walking the talk—every £1 donated equates to a mile of support for those who have given so much in service to the UK. Through this campaign, FirstLight Trust is reinforcing its commitment to providing essential grassroots support for veterans, helping them with everything from housing to mental health and career guidance.
Leading the charge for FirstLight Trust in the Great South Run will be a team of remarkable participants, including:
Dorinda Wolfe Murray, CEO of FirstLight Trust,
Liam O’Hare, Army veteran and boxer,
Serena Mcivor, affiliated to the Master Chefs of Great Britain,
Kevin Dove, marathon runner and longtime supporter, and
Stef Marsh, partner of a serving soldier.
Commenting on the event, Dorinda Wolfe Murray said:
“I’ve never run anything in my life, but starting with the Great South Run feels like the perfect way to kick off our Million Miles Matters campaign. Our charity’s mission is to combat isolation and offer face-to-face support to veterans and their families, and this run is just the beginning of many miles we’ll cover to raise awareness and funds.”
Kevin Dove, an experienced fundraiser for FirstLight Trust, added:
“The staff and volunteers at FirstLight’s Gosport hub are inspiring. They offer a safe space for veterans to connect and receive life-changing support. I’m proud to be running for a cause that makes such a positive impact.”
The twenty places for the Great South Run were generously donated to FirstLight Trust by Brighterway, the charity arm of Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust. This collaboration highlights the importance of working together at grassroots levels to support those who have served.
FirstLight Trust provides a range of practical and emotional services to veterans of the armed forces and emergency services, from housing and medical assistance to peer support and career guidance. Their community café hubs across the UK offer veterans a safe place to gather and access services in a judgement-free environment.
How You Can Help
Join the run: Interested in running alongside our team? Contact enquiries@firstlighttrust.co.uk.
Donate: Support the runners by donating via JustGiving.
Visit our hubs: See the vital work being done at one of FirstLight Trust’s café hubs.
For more information on the Million Miles Matters campaign and the Great South Run, visit www.firstlighttrust.co.uk.
