North Wales man’s marathon effort to answer Childline’s call for help

• Llandudno man to run his 14^th marathon for the NSPCC’s Childline service, ten years after his last
• Ian Turner will run 26.2 miles along town’s promenade as part of Virtual London Marathon
• Community spirit driving Ian’s marathon attempt to help protect children from abuse and neglect

A long-standing Childline supporter from North Wales has answered a last-minute appeal by children’s charity the NSPCC and will take on the Virtual London Marathon in just a few weeks’ time, running 26.2 miles along Llandudno promenade.

It will be Ian Turner’s 14^th London marathon to help raise funds for the NSPCC’s Childline service, which answers contacts from children and young people across the UK when they have nowhere else to turn.

The 40^th anniversary London Marathon was postponed from April until October due to COVID-19 and because of the ongoing health crisis will be taking place virtually – meaning runners can cover the distance of the marathon in their chosen location.

For 64-year-old Ian that means Llandudno promenade and on Sunday October 4^th he’s planning to start his challenge around 9am, finishing between 3 and 4pm.

Ian didn’t have a ballot place for the race, but answered an appeal by the NSPCC to fill one of its charity places, with 13 marathons for Childline already under his belt.

Ian says: “It’s a real blow that the charity won’t be able to raise as much money as it usually does with the London Marathon and when I found out I thought about it for a nano-second before signing up to run the virtual race. I could not ignore their call for help.

“I’ve not got long at all to prepare for the race – it’s 10 years since I ran my last marathon – but I am determined to give it a good go and raise money to help protect children from harm.

“I’ve not run since 2017 so I’m going to hurt because time has not afforded proper training, but the NSPCC and its Childline service really need any money I can raise, so as far as I’m concerned to finish is to win.

“I’ll be making history too, because it will be the first time that an official marathon distance has been run along the promenade in 40 years of the race.”

Five hundred runners were set to hit the streets to take on the London Marathon this year for #TeamNSPCC and were on track to raise £1.1million to help protect children from abuse.

Instead supporters are being asked to help the NSPCC raise £40,000 – vital funds – by running the Virtual London Marathon next month.

Members of the Lions Club of Llandudno have got right behind Ian, presenting him already with a cheque for £500. The money raised will help the NSPCC protect children from harm via its helplines and direct service work, both of which are offered from the charity’s nearby service centre in Prestatyn.

There has been a notable rise in Childline contacts from young people in Wales during lockdown with 2,179 children contacting the helpline during April, May, and June.

Childline supervisor in North Wales, Sally King-Sheard says: “Ian has been a fundraiser for Childline for many years raising tens of thousands of pounds to help us still be here for children, and he is a really special part of our team.

“The coronavirus pandemic has been particularly difficult for children who have been the hidden victims of the crisis, suffering abuse and neglect at home, increased risk online, or further pressures on their mental health.

“The NSPCC relies on public donations for 90% of its income, and it is supporters like Ian that help us fund the important work we carry out supporting children, young people and their families.”

To keep up-to-date on the challenge ahead for the NSPCC as it moves from crisis to recovery, how the charity is tackling it so that it’s still here for every child, and how you can get involved sign up to the charity’s hand-raiser.

To follow Ian’s training progress or support his challenge visit his fundraising page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbCBGTtbd-U&list=PLqA6Q-vvA4sMYZ83CpwSA0rBkAOrEdp6q

For more information about joining #TeamNSPCC for the Virtual London Marathon or supporting the NSPCC visit the charity’s website.

Childline in Prestatyn recently appealed for more volunteers to help support the service. Anyone interested in volunteering their time to become a Childline counsellor or finding out more can contact a member of the staff team on 01745 772101 or volunteermail@nspcc.org.uk.