A care home is endorsing a running movement and hopes to become the 'go to charity' Kent people choose to support while doing it.

Since its humble beginnings in 2020, Run For Heroes has raised more than £7 million for NHS charities and earned founder Olivia Strong an MBE.

This year, Run for Heroes has partnered with local charities including Deal based Martha Trust, by turning the month of May into a celebration of physical activity with their 5kMay campaign.

Its slogan is simple - Run 5, Donate 5, Nominate 5.

Martha Trust's fundraising and events officer Kerry Banks BEM is taking part herself, and she is encouraging others to do so too.

Mrs Banks said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Run for Heroes to encourage people to take part in the challenge and fundraise for Martha.

"This event really is accessible for all as it isn’t just about running – you can complete your 5k by any method.

"You can take part on your own or as a group, donate your £5 to Martha Trust , then nominate five friends or family members to complete their own 5km challenge."

She has nominated the Mercury's Beth Robson who has accepted and Eleanor Perkins who is already putting in the training while on maternity leave. Martha Trust is the Mercury's charity of the year.

As a wild card, she's nominated TV host, comedian and children's author David Walliams who kindly sent signed copies of his books to a Martha Trust resident Charlotte Martin after reading our story about how her dad records himself reading Mr Walliams' books while lockdown separated him from his daughter.

Mrs Banks added: "We still have nine spaces for people to join our virtual marathon, so people who want to sign up could use the 5kmay as a training event!"

The virtual marathon is an opportunity for those who could not get a place in the Virgin Money London Marathon to take part in their own marathon while supporting Martha.

It takes place on Sunday, October 3 - the same day as the London run, for which Martha already has seven runners taking part.

The nine virtual marathon runners will receive a finishers medal and T-shirt after the challenge, sent by the race organisers.

If you are successful in securing a place to run for Martha Trust, there is a £20 registration fee and pledge to raise £150 in sponsorship.

To be considered to run on Team Martha in the virtual 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon email fundraising@marthatrust.org.uk.

Sign up to the challenge at www.runforheroes.org.uk

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