Half marathon charity challenge for child protection worker and Lliswerry Runner

• 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 David, are sharing their stories of why they are running the iconic Welsh race for the charity

Monday 1 October

A CHILD protection worker from Newport is preparing to take on the challenge of the Cardiff Half Marathon and boost NSPCC Cymru’s fight for every childhood in the process.

David Strawbridge will be joining thousands of runners on the start line in front of Cardiff Castle on Sunday 7 October for the sold-out 13.1mile run, which is Wales’ largest road race and the UK’s second biggest half marathon event.

The NSPCC is this year’s lead charity partner, and more than 600 runners – including David – will be wearing green on race day as part of Team NSPCC.

David, a member of the Newport-based running club Lliswerry Runners and with 10 years’ experience in the field of children and family services, decided to run for the leading children’s charity to help make a difference in young people’s lives.

“I am taking part in Cardiff Half Marathon for NSPCC because I want to help make a difference for children,” said David.

“For the last decade I have been working with young people in various services and the aim is for children and young people to get the best possible chance in life.”

David has previously attempted the Cardiff Half but has taken on this year’s event as opportunity to improve his own fitness as well as support a good cause.

“I decided to sign up for the Cardiff Half Marathon as not only will it give me motivation to improve my overall health and wellbeing, it will give me a chance to meet new people, become part of a group and do something for a good cause,” he said.

“I have taken part in Cardiff Half Marathon previously however I was unprepared, but this time I have taken the preparation seriously.

“I believe that by getting involved in the event, and by raising money for the charity, not only will you improve your own health and wellbeing, but the donations will make a big difference to children and young people here in Wales.”

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 hundreds of 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.

Support from runners will also benefit three NSPCC service centres in Wales – Cardiff, Swansea and Prestatyn – which provide direct help to vulnerable children and their families.

Des Mannion, the head of NSPCC Cymru/Wales, said: “It’s vital that we help children who have suffered abuse and neglect and work to prevent it from happening in the first place.

“The NSPCC carries out a great deal of this work in schools, via Childline and in our service centres. But we want to do more and we need the help of the public to achieve our aims.

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

To sponsor David, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-strawbridge.