Laura knows she can go the distance in marathon quest
SHE’S doing 13-mile runs around the Moorlands countryside - so Leek mum Laura Goldstraw is halfway to a full marathon distance.
Which is a good job because 39-yearold Laura has been accepted to take part in October’s London Marathon and is now looking for people to sponsor her as she takes on the quest in aid of charity Home-start Staffordshire Moorlands.
The mum-of-three, who works with adults who have mental health and learning disabilities, has run in several half marathons, but has never taken part in a full 26-mile challenge before.
So up until the London Marathon on Sunday, October 3, Laura will be putting in the miles as she trains for the big event in the Roaches and Meerbrook areas.
She said: “I am running for a local charity who do so much for our local community.
“I’m hoping to raise awareness of what they do and raise some funds to help them carry on doing all the great things they do to help others.
“I have always enjoyed running and I always said I would run a marathon when I was 40, which I am this year.
“I feel so lucky to have been given a place to run in the London Marathon 2021 as there were only 2,000 spaces to be given out due to all last year’s places being rolled over due to the pandemic.
“I have begun training, I am now up to 13 miles - to imagine running that again after is mind blowing!
“But I am not one to give up, especially when it’s for such a good cause - to help Home-start do the amazing job they do by helping local families.
“I always wanted to help a local charity with my running. I have set myself a target to raise £1,000.”
Home-start Staffordshire Moorlands was established in June 1998 and supports families from all walks of life living in the Staffordshire Moorlands, with at least one child under the age of five who are experiencing stress.
In 2019-20, 42 volunteers from the scheme supported more than 200 families across the district with home visits, sharing books with young children and signposting visits.
The website states: “Parents supporting parents. Starting in the home, our approach is as individual as the people we’re helping.
“No judgement, it is just compassionate, confidential help and expert support.”
It adds: “At the heart of our work is home visiting support provided by volunteers and family support workers. Families struggling with post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems, disability, bereavement and many other issues receive the support of a volunteer or family support worker providing home visiting support to help them in the ways they need.
“We are also able to offer Bookstart Corner visits to share resources from the Bookstart Trust to children when they are young – usually aged 12-24 months, or to older children where there is speech delay.
“Additionally, we offer signposting visits to families in certain parts of the district, funded by Staffordshire County Council.”
To sponsor Laura go to: https:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ lauragoldstraw
I have begun training, I am now up to 13 miles - to imagine running that again after is mind blowing! Laura Goldstraw