A senior schoolteacher recently faced her biggest challenge yet by taking on the London Marathon to raise funds for The Salvation Army.
Julie Askew, 50, from Southport, took on the 26.2-mile course around the country’s capital on Sunday, April 21, for the international church and charity with which she has a long-standing family connection. Seeing firsthand the work it does for the most marginalised members of local communities, Julie chose to raise the money for The Salvation Army in her fundraising efforts.
Each year The Salvation Army provides charity spaces for runners to take on the London Marathon in support of a Salvation Army project. In 2024 all sponsorship monies raised will support the charity’s work towards helping transform the lives of people currently experiencing homelessness.
Ticking a key item off her bucket list, the self-confessed running novice only took up the sport three years ago and before the marathon, had only taken part in 10 kilometre courses and park runs but had high ambitions to complete the marathon. Julie said: “Taking on the London Marathon is such a big investment in time, the training is more difficult than the actual race! When I turned 50, I decided it was something that I wanted to do and helping such a worthwhile cause in the process was a bonus.
“I’m so happy that the funds raised will go to support people who find themselves homeless. They already face immeasurable challenges every day and need support in order to get their lives back on track and I know that The Salvation Army put their belief into action and really DO things. When people are at their lowest they can rely on The Salvation Army to pick them up. That was a big motivator in ensuring that I finished the course, and I am finally looking forward to getting some good sleep!”
Completing the marathon in just under six hours, Julie attends services and events at Southport’s Salvation Army, located on Shakespeare Street. Her grandfather used to be a Salvation Army officer and her husband took part in last year’s London Marathon, raising funds for the church and charity. With such a big place in her family’s hearts, The Salvation Army will also benefit from Julie’s son’s medical training as he takes on a volunteering role in a Salvation Army hospital in Zambia, Africa, for his medical placement, which part of Julie’s fundraising efforts will contribute to.
Julie added: “Before I became a teacher, I used to work for The Salvation Army’s international development department in London and saw the work that they did for marginalised communities in other countries, as well as our own. Knowing that need will have only increased, and when my son said that he wanted to do his medical elective over summer abroad, it made sense for me to help him realise his passion and support the international work of The Salvation Army at the same time.
“I have seen the work The Salvation Army does in this country, in the world and in Southport to support some of the most vulnerable people, both with practical and spiritual support and I am proud that me and my family are a small part in making that happen.”
The Salvation Army help people who are homeless across the UK regardless of their circumstances and without judgement. Operating over 78 supported accommodation services across the UK and Ireland providing over 3,000 beds every night, Salvation Army Lifehouses (hostels), are more than a place to stay, they are places where people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping can receive training, advice and a place to rebuild their lives.
Julie’s JustGiving link is still live and anyone wishing to donate to her London Marathon accomplishments and support the work of The Salvation Army can do so via www.justgiving.com/page/julie-askew-thesalvationarmy.
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