Alix Walker
A Shropshire woman who only took up running six months ago is taking on the London Marathon to raise money for the local branch of the Armed Forces charity SSAFA.
Alix Walker, 33, lives in Shawbury with husband Dave, an air traffic controller on his second posting at the local RAF base. She said it was important to her to raise money for SSAFA as she is from an RAF family.
“I have known about SSAFA for many years. It is a comfort for me to know that not only are they there to provide support to me and my husband, who is currently serving, but also my dad, and my husband’s dad, who were both in the RAF,” she said.
“It’s really important for me to know that my fundraising will benefit my local community.”
Alix, who works as a Talent Co-ordinator for Resource Bank in Telford, said she only started running in October when she found out she had got a place in the London Marathon, which will take place on Sunday
“I was a complete novice runner. I joined a jogging club in Shawbury, who have been absolutely brilliant. I run once a week with them on a Wednesday and have been doing Park Run in Shrewsbury every Saturday. I did my first half marathon in March and just recently did another one,” she added.
“I’m hoping to raise £700 for SSAFA Shropshire and am very lucky to have lots of family travelling from all over the country coming for Race Day. My dad and step-mum are travelling up from Cornwall, Dave’s mum and dad will be coming from Worcester and my sister and her partner are coming from Manchester.
“Dave will also be there and I will have some friends dotted around the course for all the help and support I can get on the day.”
Alix said she is feeling nervous about the marathon but excited to be a part of such a big day and event.
“I never imagined I would be running such distances. The training alone has been more than I have ever run before,” she said.
“Once I cross that finish line, it will be a huge achievement and I hope to continue running – but maybe not such a distance!”
Andrew Meek, SSAFA branch chairman, said: “We are honoured that Alix chose to run the London Marathon for the SSAFA Shropshire branch and we are very impressed by all the training she is doing. We wish her all the luck in the world.
“The charity has shown its commitment to our serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families in getting them the best possible support when they need it and we can only continue to do that with the help of people willing to fundraise for us, such as Alix, thank you again.”
If you are interested in fundraising for your local SSAFA team, email shropshire@ssafa.co.uk or contact 01743 344220.
To sponsor Alix in her challenge visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alix-walker
