London to Paris cycle challenge raises £8,000 for charity
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Jenny's Journey
An NHS worker is relishing a charity’s challenge to embark on a training programme aimed at getting fit and taking part in the Great North Run.
Jenny Dell has responded to a call from the North East Autism Society (NEAS) to get fit for 2023 by going from ‘Couch to 5k’ and then building up to tackle the world’s most famous half-marathon, on September 10.
The 27-year-old, from Hurworth Place, near Darlington, said: “I just really want to get fit, and the challenge from NEAS was enough to inspire me to buy a pair of running shoes and give it a go.”
The challenge was launched at the start of the year, with NEAS posting an NHS training programme on the charity’s website. Supporters have the option to just do the ‘Couch to 5k’ or go on to tackle the Great North Run.
Jenny, who is autistic, is training in the local countryside three times a week, and her aim is to be able to run 5k, without needing to walk, by World Autism Acceptance Week at the start of April.
In addition, she has started taking part in the Darlington parkrun whenever her shifts at work allow, and she has also signed up as a parkrun volunteer.
"Before I took up the challenge from NEAS, I wasn’t really exercising but now I’m enjoying getting out running, and it’s nice meeting new people at the parkrun in South Park. It’s not only making me fitter but it’s helped my confidence."
“Being autistic means I see the world differently, and NEAS has been very supportive, so I’m proud to be raising money for such a great charity. Hopefully, I can inspire other people like me who want to get fitter.
“At the moment, it’s taking me about 37 minutes to complete 5k, but my target is to get under 30 minutes by the end of the year. My message to other people is – give running a go because it’s such a great feeling.”
Jenny, a health care assistant at Darlington Memorial Hospital, has even persuaded her younger brother, Robin, to sign up for the Darlington parkrun.
Jon Appleton, Fundraising Officer for NEAS, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Jenny has taken up the running challenge and to know that she’s enjoying it so much. We’ll be following her progress all the way to the Great North Run and, hopefully, she’ll inspire others to follow her example.”
- For more information, plus links to sign up, go to: neas.org.uk/event/couchtosouthshields
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