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Penny Smashes it for Local Charity

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Penny Howard, PA at UKi Direct

We are delighted that endless hours of training have reaped rewards for PA Penny Howard who has raised over £1,400 for her local charity, The Boot Shop (United Response).

With the support of Uki Direct, Penny set herself the goal of running the Great North Run for the 12th time to support young people and adults with physical and learning disabilities.

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Ready for the off!

On race day, She was up at 4am in good time to travel up to the big event in Newcastle which attracted over 57,000 runners.  “The crowds were just unbelievable….loads of happy, supportive people.  Such a mix of different ages, levels of ability, running for different reasons; some in fancy dress but all coming together with the same aim. Cheers of encouragement welcomed us on the entire route and the non-stop singing choir kept us all going on the last leg, adding to the emotional atmosphere.  It was incredible.”

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Penny’s personal achievement

On the day, when she clocked up an impressive 36,885 steps, Penny says she was nervous at the start, but then the ‘hyped up feeling’ kept her going throughout the 13.1 miles and stayed with her for days afterwards.  She reports feeling ‘relaxed, but not weary’ at the finishing line, where her time was a very respectable 2 hours 23 mins, making her final position in the race 23,527th.

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57,000 strong crowd in Newcastle

“What’s more important to me, is that the funds raised will help this amazing local charity that rely purely on community and government funding, achieve some of their ambitious plans for the people they support.  We are absolutely stunned by the generosity of local people, family and friends. They gave their willing and vocal support in so many ways.  Both myself and Uki Direct, are bowled over and extremely grateful to the residents and businesses of Hambleton who have given so freely.  Thank you!”.

Presenting cheque

 

Mike Howard, UKi Direct, presenting cheque

The money raised will go towards creating a much needed outside area for people to be sociable and relaxed, learn new skills, practise existing talents and work on projects together.  The Boot Shop hope for increasing Community involvement in the future and look forward to welcoming locals to their new space to give talks, help with workshops etc.

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The Boot Shop, Easingwold

In addition, Julia Richardson, Manager of The Boot Shop, outlines a further scheme she is developing, “Many of the people we support met Penny, watched her training and now want to have a go themselves.  We want to help them with this and have some exciting new sporty ideas in the pipeline – watch this space!”

Penny welcomes this with big smiles, “I’d like to keep up to date with progress and help where we can in future.  This is an exciting time for the Boot Shop and also for the Easingwold Community.”

 

If you would like to donate to The Boot Shop, run by national disability charity United Response, there is still time.  Just click the button below:

And all donations will be very gratefully received.

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