Two Island runners taking on the TCS London Marathon for the Isle of Wight Youth Trust.
Sandrine Dartigues and Jane Karabasic will be taking on the iconic TCS London Marathon to raise vital funds for the Isle of Wight Youth Trust.
Chance to raise funds for mental health charity a perfect fit
Sandrine was very happy (whilst at the same time a little terrified) to have secured a ballot place for the 2023 London Marathon. For Sandrine, using this opportunity to raise funds for a mental health charity was a perfect fit.
Having experienced anxiety and OCD a few years ago, with access to the right support, getting outdoors and running regularly really helped her recovery. Sandrine comments,
“If somebody would have told me 4 or 5 years ago, when I was struggling with my mental health, that I would run the London Marathon in 2023 I would never have believed it. I am very excited but definitely out of my comfort zone!
“I hope the funds raised for the Isle of Wight Youth Trust will help to contribute to help more young people who need support and to give them hope for the future.”
Second marathon for Jane
This will be Jane’s second marathon – despite having said never again after completing the very hilly Isle of Wight Marathon… Jane secured her place through her employer Tolchards, who were happy for her to choose the charity she wishes to fundraise for.
She choose the Isle of Wight Youth Trust as a way to say thank you for the support they have given her family during difficult periods in their lives.
32 reaching out for support each week
Demand for the Youth Trusts services is unprecedented, in the first three months of 2023 the Trust have received 415 referrals – nearly half the total number of referrals received in 2022 (867) – that’s an average of 32 children and young people reaching out for support each week.
Ayres: Increasing numbers of young Islanders needing support
Meghann Ayres, Youth Trust Clinical Manager explains,
“As the world has moved forward in the wake of a global pandemic, our children and young people are still living with the impact of the months they spent isolated from their friends and peers.
“We are seeing increasing numbers of young Islanders needing support with social anxiety, school avoidance, anger, concerns around body image and worrying levels of self-harm and suicidal ideation.”
“I no longer have suicidal thoughts”
No one describes the impact the Youth Trust can have better than the children and young people who access their services, their words cut to the core of what the Trust does:
“I instantly felt safe and listened to, I came out every week with something new to think about.
“I no longer have suicidal thoughts my anger has dissipated massively, and I have a want to be alive.”
Now, more than ever, young Islanders and their families need the support of the Youth Trust.
Moorman: Extremely grateful to Sandrine and Jane
Youth Trust Fundraising and Communications Manager, Michelle Moorman, comments,
“We are extremely grateful to Sandrine and Jane for choosing to raise funds for the Youth Trust as they take on the 2023 TCS London Marathon.
“All funds raised will be used to directly support the mental health and wellbeing of young Islanders at a time when they need us the most.”
Show your support
If you would like to support Sandrine and Jane in their fundraising efforts, you can donate through their fundraising pages.
Every donation, no matter how small, can make a difference in the lives of young people on the Island.
News shared by Michelle on behalf of Isle of Wight Youth Trust. Ed
