On 20th December – less than 5 weeks away – runners will be descending on Portsmouth for the annual Coastal Marathon, which is this year sponsored by south-coast law firm, Irwin Mitchell.
Ruth Johnson, a serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Southampton office, will be running the marathon to raise money for Headway Isle of Wight and the numerous other charities who currently use the kitchen facilities at the Riverside Centre in Newport.
This kitchen – pictured left- is currently used by Age UK, charities supporting the homeless, dementia groups, people with learning disabilities and Headway IOW, which offers help and support to individuals as well as their families and carers affected by brain injury.
It is hoped that the kitchen will be renovated to a standard that would allow a variety of uses; from teaching cooking skills to the homeless or for Headway IOW and other groups to use cooking as part of the rehabilitation process from a brain injury. To allow for this, the kitchen needs to be adapted to support those with a wide range of physical and non-physical needs.
Ruth said:
“When I heard about what Headway IOW wanted to achieve not only for the group but for the wider community on the Isle of Wight it made sense to me to run the marathon to help them raise funds.
“Through my work I am only too aware of the benefits of local support groups for rehabilitation. To assist Headway IOW in increasing the services they can offer is humbling.”
Joy Cleightonhills, Chairperson of Headway IOW, said:
“The renovation of this well used kitchen at the Riverside Centre means that people who suffer with cognitive difficulties, which include survivors of stroke, dementia and brain injuries can learn in an adapted environment to produce healthy meals and have a social fun time.
“Eating well and the company of friends promotes good mental health. I can’t run so I am letting a lovely young woman to do it for me, Run RUTH Run!”
Ruth aims to raise £7,000, which is the anticipated cost of the refurbishment of the kitchen.
If you think you can assist or would like to donate the just giving page can be found here.
