Schools service volunteer preparing for half marathon test with charity run

• The Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon returns to the city’s streets on Sunday 7 October

• The NSPCC is the lead charity partner for Wales’ largest road race and the UK’s second biggest half marathon event

• Runners who have signed up for Team NSPCC, like Ffion, are sharing their stories of why they are running the iconic Welsh race for the charity
• The 13.1mile race is sold out, but a few NSPCC charity places remain up for grabs
• Tuesday 14 August

A VOLUNTEER for the NSPCC’s Childline and school service will be returning to Wales’ capital city to take on the nation’s largest road race in October.

Ffion Thomas, who volunteers for Childline at the centre in Prestatyn and at schools across North Wales, will be running the Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon and fundraising for NSPCC Cymru/Wales.

The NSPCC is 2018’s lead charity partner for the UK’s second largest half marathon event.

General entry into the 13.1mile race, which takes place on Sunday 7 October, is now sold out but the NSPCC still has a few places remaining for runners to take part in the iconic event.

Ffion, aged 22 and from Dwyran, Anglesey, has completed the half marathon once before and saw the event as a perfect opportunity to challenge herself again while raising money for children’s charity.

“I signed up for the Cardiff Half as I saw the NSPCC was the charity partner. I had been thinking for a while that I wanted to fundraise for them, so I saw it as a perfect opportunity to do so and signed up online,” she said.

“I did the Cardiff Half a couple of years ago but underestimated the distance and thought I could get away with not training much, so I wanted to do it properly this time.

“I’m running for the charity is because I’ve volunteered for Childline for over a year and the schools service for around two years.

“The message the schools service gives to children is so important and Childline is a safe place to turn for so many young people.

“Hearing the positive reactions of children to both services makes me realise how important and needed they are, which is why I decided to fundraise.”

Money raised by fundraisers taking part in the half marathon will allow the NSPCC to continue to support vital services across Wales.

These include ‘Speak out Stay safe’, which sees specially trained staff and volunteers visiting primary schools across the country.

Each assembly they deliver equips pupils with the skills and knowledge they need to recognise abuse and speak out about it.

In 2016/17 alone the charity spoke to more than 58,000 children in over 490 Welsh primary visits.

Every step taken by anyone running for the NSPCC will help the charity in its fight for every childhood.

This support will also benefit three NSPCC service centres in Wales – Cardiff, Swansea and Prestatyn – which help vulnerable children and their families.

Des Mannion, the head of NSPCC Cymru / Wales, said: “It’s vital we help children across Wales so they’re less vulnerable to abuse and neglect and help those who’ve experienced it to rebuild their lives.

“We need the backing of people across Wales make sure we can provide this help where and when it is needed.

“Ffion’s support is very much appreciated and we wish her the best of luck in the Cardiff Half.”

To take part in the Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon in aid of NSPCC Cymru/Wales, go to nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/charity-runs-cycles-and-challenges/charity-runs/cardiff-half-marathon/.

To sponsor Ffion, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ffion-thomas5.