Fundraising First Year Student set to take on the London Marathon

A sociology student in her first year of studies at the University of Wolverhampton is gearing up to take on the London Marathon on Sunday 21st April.

Courtney-Mae Allison, 19, is going to be running the UK’s second-largest annual road race all in the name of raising money for the charity Barnardo’s. While Courtney described herself as always being a runner, this is going to be her first ever marathon that she has run. “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’ve 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 and they work 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 that closely affects Courtney.

“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.”

With her story in mind alongside the many more children across the country, Courtney will be using this to spur her on as she reaches the finish line. “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 its like you did that, you was one step to help that and it’s very, very emotional but a very positive feeling.”

As the starting line gets closer and closer for Courtney, she’s been receiving support from her brother, who is also a runner and previously completed the London marathon twice. She’s had advice in regards to nutrition and her training and Courtney labelled her brother as being her rock.

Courtney has raised close to £2000, and if you wish to join in donating to her head to her page at JustGiving