Gen joined Challengers as CEO in February 2022 and believes she shouldn’t ask someone to do something she has not done herself, so she set herself the challenge of six runs to help raise awareness of Challengers and help raise funds to bring more smiles and laughter to children and families.
Six years ago, Gen was introduced to Challengers through running, when a friend asked her to join in a 5K run organised by Kelly’s Storage, and since has become a huge fan of what the charity does and the difference it makes to disabled young people, their parents and carers.
Although it wasn’t part of the original plan, Gen has very impressively took on the Spinnaker Tower Abseil on the 24th of September, which is the first event of its kind for Challengers. Coming up very soon is the big one – The London Marathon 2022, where Gen will be sporting her bespoke marathon outfit created by long-term Challengers partners Love Your Logo. We can’t wait to see it! Gen will be running this alongside 12 other fellow Challengers supporters who have collectively raised an incredible £23,400 so far! And to end this beast of a challenge, Gen will be partaking in the Royal Parks Half Marathon a week later on the 9th of October, and we’re sure will be enjoying a relaxing final few months to end 2022!
Gen aims to raise £2,200, which will pay for 222 hours of play for the amazing disabled children and young people who attend Challengers!
Check out Gen’s fundraising page for updates on her challenge and to donate – show your support here!
To add some fun to this serious challenge, Gen decided to embark on a bit of a “fashion” evolution! Starting off tame with her running outfit of choice, Gen sported all black with a Challengers vest for her first run, which was the Surrey Half in March. Swiftly following this was the Easter 50 Ultra in April, where it was taken up a notch with some amazing rainbow print leggings. Next up was the Martian Run in June full of stars, and she has just recently completed the Big Half sporting some lovely Harry Potter-themed gear.
On behalf of #TeamOrange – all of our children, young people, families, staff and volunteers – we’d like to say a HUGE congratulations to Gen for all she has achieved so far, and good luck for the final few hurdles! You are truly an inspiration to us all.