Category: Charity

  • Calendar Girls!

    Calendar Girls!

    Where it all began…

    It all started many years ago when the club was a little smaller and we would joke about doing a Foxy Ladies Calendar and what that might look like. When we do our runs or training sessions, we take photos and share them on our private pages to encourage other members to get out and run or go to their training session. If ever there was a funny photo or someone would pose, we would joke “that’s one for the calendar”.

    Fast forward a few years and the club is triple the size, then we started to witness first hand so many of our members being affected directly from cancer, and other members loosing family and close friends to this awful disease. We wanted to do something to show support and raise awareness of the sheer volume of cases within a small community and to raise money for the charities that have helped these ladies get through their treatment and on their journey to recovery.

    The Committee

    With approval from some of those most recently affect, I decided that I wanted to turn that calendar dream into reality and set about pulling together a committee that could help bring this project out of my head and into life. Most of the ladies that gave up their time to help, were also going through cancer or had previously fought it, whilst others had lost near and dear relatives to the disease in recent years. The committee were brilliant, enthusiastic, and passionate about helping and roles were quickly agreed, and charities decided upon.

    Macmillan Cancer Support was to be our national charity and Cancer United based in Angmering, our local one.

    Planning

    The images we wanted to include and discussed were quite some way off (thank goodness) from the very original shots we had joked about a few years previously. Instead, we were aiming for beautiful scenes from all the runs and sessions that we do throughout our Foxy running year. We were very lucky to secure the free services of professional photographer Anthony Hurren https://www.anthonyhurren.com/ whose wife just happens to be a Foxy lady along with a few taken by my own husband Matt Griggs, when Ant wasn’t available.

    The images were planned for the year ahead and we recognised we had to crack on with December’s and secure the festive fun Christmas Park run a year before the calendar would be on sale.

    Bridgit Brown oversaw picture planning, staging, and liaising with the photographer and the first few months of dates and image locations were sorted according to the seasonal requirements. Temesa Hurren was technical support to the photographer orchestrating movement, light, required flashes and positioning.

    We agreed on what style calendar we wanted but had no idea how to turn that vision into a reality. Donna (chief printing liaison officer – she wanted a good title!) started to approach printing companies to see how much this would cost us. With or without design work it was going to be in the thousands… gulp! We realised we need to raise some funds to pay for the printing and set about our first fund raiser the “Foxy Ladies Charity Clothes Swap”. Pay £5 bring 5 items and take 5 items home with you, for any additional items a donation could be given. An afternoon of sorting clothes into various types and sizes, saw the committee working flat out to get it all ready. Vikki Whitelam our “dates on the calendar coordinator” sorted our venue with the upstairs function room at the Ian Hart Chapel which was kindly given to us for free and was jam-packed with the preloved sportswear and equipment. We had a great turn out from club members and managed to raise over £600 from both sales on the night and from our member Karen Philips kindly selling the left-over stock on Vinted and eBay after the event. Dara our accountant on the committee, set up the appropriate fundraising pages and we were pleased to have the fundraising off to a good start.

    We should be so lucky

    As the year gathered pace, we gathered images.  We were lucky to have so many willing participants in the shape of Foxy members and offered a selection of midweek, weekend, then day and evening photo opportunities to get a real mix of members. Those on location shoots, combined with Ant’s ideas and how to get the most out of each shoot, meant that shortlisting images was difficult as there were too many good ones to choose from.

    We were also received a very generous offer via a connection from a local printer, Pure Print to say they would print all our calendars for free as they liked and believed in what we were doing and enjoyed giving back to the community and local charities. We were blown away by their generosity and after receiving that good news, we had the confidence to approach and secure a designer in the shape of Paul Melbert, who then also gave his expert services for free. Once Paul and the printers were onboard things really progressed with the design. We were delighted with the artwork Paul came up with, along with his professional approach, gently guiding us through difficult decision making, eventually setting on a striking calendar with nice big bubble boxes for writing days out and a notes section plus race information in each month.

    Local News

    In preparation for when the calendars would be ready at the end of October, we started contacting all local news and media outlets, telling our story to anyone that would listen and giving them sneak previews of a couple of the images to tantalise their readers taste buds.

    We even managed to get a little right up in section of Women’s Running Magazine November issue.

    Hot off the press

    Before too long the deadline date was in sight, all images were settled upon, design signed off and sent to the printers and then the anticipation mounted waiting for the call to say the first few were off the printing line and ready for launch night.

    Donna and I set of to meet the lovely team at Pure Print and were amazed to find they had printed all 800 calendars and that we could collect them all right there and then. We were so grateful for printing our calendars for free Thank You Pure Print you have the biggest hearts. https://www.pureprint.com/

    Launch Night

    We invited members and local businesses and all the contributors to our launch evening held at Thomas A Becket pub. We had a great turn out and calendars flew out the door in their box load.

    A short speech and thank you delivered to all our contributors and then we knew the hard work was about to start…. The actual selling of the calendar to anyone and everyone!

    Local Retailers

    We managed to get lots of local retailers in the Findon and Broadwater Area to stock our calendars and sell them directly to the public collecting money via the QR codes we had made for the charities fundraising pages.

    Natasha Schroeder and I visited almost every shop in the Findon Parade asking if they would purchase or stock our calendars, at times it was a little soul destroying but our faith was restored and we were delighted when these businesses agreed. Thank you to Gifted Worthing https://giftedworthing.co.uk/, The Coffee Camp https://www.thecoffeecamp.com/, Findon Flowers https://www.floristsussex.co.uk/, Kavanagh Designs https://kavanaghdesigns.co.uk/ it really helped.

    Bridget also got calendars stocked at Broadwater Sports and Sussex Performance Centre.

    We were kindly given space by Findon Valley Residents Association to sell the calendars at their local Sunday Farmers Market at Lime Tree Surgery and attended two in October and November but unfortunately the Christmas Market was cancelled due to bad weather.

    Bright Lights Comedy https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bright-lights-comedy-54114910173 also allowed us to have a stall at their popular comedy night in December at Findon Village Hall and kindly provided us with raffle prizes for our 10-year anniversary party.

    Party Night

    As the foxes had a special 10-year celebration this year we set about organising a raffle for these charities. We were absolutely thrilled by all the donations both from members and local businesses with prizes for our members to win. Jo Elliott and I made up some beautiful hampers and vouchers with all the donations and we raised an astonishing £1100 in ticket sales.

    As we moved into December, we promoted the calendar on social media as much as possible. I agreed to a promo video with Cancer United to help explain a little more about us and why we had put the calendar together.

    The numbers of boxes started to dwindle down in my office and I could see floor space again!

    Freebies

    Everyone loves a freebie so we decided one last push on sales before Christmas and then we would give away as many as we could at the last Worthing Park Run on 23rd December. This way we could offer people the opportunity to make an optional donation should they wish too.

    Our calendars travelled as far as Ireland, Holland and even Australia.

    We then gave remainder ones out to neighbours in the surrounding area of HQ and to our new intake of Learn to Run members.

    We hope that everyone who has bought a calendar will not only enjoy looking through what the Foxy ladies get up to in a typical year but also be pleased that they have a contribution towards helping someone else and their cancer journey whether that is with Macmillan Cancer Support or with Cancer United.

    Grand Total

    I hope you have enjoyed reading our whole calendar experience and the journey we have been on for the last year, at times, its been challenging and a little stressful but also fun and most importantly so worthwhile.

    We are really pleased to have sold or given out nearly 750 of the 800 calendars printed.

    This means we are delighted to announce the money raised is a grand total of………

    £8206.75

    £3802.00 to Macmillan over two different donation pages

    £4404.75 to Cancer United including £180 of direct sales.

    Massive thanks to every Foxy member that helped sell calendars to their friends and families, to all the local businesses that support our sales, our wonderful committee, and most importantly to our photographer, the designer, and our printers for all doing the work for free. Thank you so much.

  • Sorry we have been a bit quiet…..

    Sorry we have been a bit quiet…..

    It’s been a bit busy over the last 6 months…. what have we been up to?

    London to Brighton Bike Ride

    Back in June last year, a group of Foxes who had previously signed up in 2019 (pre pandemic) to the London to Brighton Bike Ride, finally got to take part. Ten members (plus a friend of the foxes Laura) swapped their running trainers for wheels, to challenge themselves and raise money for the British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/events/london-to-brighton-bike-ride a charity close to many of their hearts.

    With Leah (a tri-athlete and former half iron man competitor) at the helm, the group all trained hard. Often enduring the strong winds along the south’s coastal paths on lengthy training rides from Worthing to places like Rottingdean and back, or Bognor. Their training had to incorporate hills in preparation for some of the nasty ones along the route, thankfully this is something they all were familiar with from their hill running sessions. 

    The ladies meticulous planning and logistical prep worked well, however the hostel was 3 miles from the start at Clapham Common. Even with the scheduled start times the sheer number of participants and bikes on the road was overwhelming on occasions but spread out after the first 10 miles. The group naturally divided with the miles but they ensured in true foxy style that no fox was left behind. Sticking to one of the two groups of ladies they waited for each other at the fuel stops that were really well placed every few miles along the route. Extra vaseline, sun cream, food and hydration were applied, eaten and drunk when necessary and they considered themselves really lucky with the weather and only a couple of minor scrapes and no punctures! Ditchling Beacon was certainly a challenge and all the ladies were chuffed with their achievements up that mighty hill, some managing it non stop.

    All of the Foxy ladies Go Cycling group made it to the finish line triumphant, relieved and tired but absolutely buzzing with excitement at completing it.  They then had another few miles to get to Hove Station for bike pick up and the journey home. Even more rewarding was a few days after the ride seeing that they had raised over £2500 and in the top 5% of fundraisers for the event.

    Swim n Run

    Every summer for the first Monday of each month the Foxy Ladies pitch up at Arundel Lido at 6pm and swim 16th lengths and then run a 5km and why not! We encourage all our members to try something different whether its this or something else. This is a great way without any pressure to try out a mini aquathlon and to see if its for you before committing to a race.

    Its about the experience and sharing that experience with others that leaves people feeling so exhilarated after. Everyone that tried it out for the first time last year was so delighted that they had done it and said they would not have done it without the club and other members support but couldn’t wait for the next opportunity to try it again.

    The Lido is in an ideal location for a road or trail run after a brisk outdoor swim and the stunning Arundel Castle it’s back drop. The ladies hop out the water pull on their trainers and run off straight away to replicate minimal transition times as if they were to race. The Lido are very accommodating and staff always happy to help so why not give it a try.https://arundel-lido.com/

    Races ….so many races

    As a club we take part in so many races every month so we often don’t really mention them apart from on our own club or personal social media. In 2022 we saw an absolutely magnificent amount of races and members attending them, mainly due to the fact that so many were postponed in the previous years. What we love as always is trying a new or different race, supporting our ladies around a course and being at the end for the all important race finish and obligatory pics.

    We tried out the new trail race at National Trust Leonardslee Gardens. That was a bit different, few different laps and a bit hilly in places and lots of lovely statues, trees and plants to look at whilst we ran. https://www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk/all-events/seasonal-series

    Marathon Heroes

    Our ladies race for themselves, but also often with others in mind. Usually for reasons very close to their hearts, sometimes for lost loved ones or their own personal challenges with illnesses. Most raising money for national or local charities. Whatever their reason or motivation they are never alone, the support on training runs from others foxy members or on the side lines is always immense.

    This year our ever inspiring members did that again training relentlessly through the summer for October Marathons, in London, Loch Ness and Beachy Head. They captured our hearts following their training journeys and then seeing them in action on the day. Well done to all our Marathon Heroes and Ultra-Marathon runners this year.

    (From left to right) Claire Boak, Heather Wincell, Jennifer Freeman and Philippa Barker with their London Marathon medals.

    The races continued with a small group travelling up North for the Great North Run and loving the route atmosphere and experience but perhaps not the travelling involved. We had another bumper turn out for the Great South Run, many doing it for the first time and making it their furthest distance, so it was good to talk about it afterwards over dinner at a great local restaurant.

    Enjoying a nice meal after the 10 mile event.

    Many more races have happened over the last 6 months too many to mention. We always attend the Chestnut Tree House Littlehampton 10km https://www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/events/littlehampton10k/ in September and every year the Foxes swarm in their masses to support Worthing 10km. This year it was in October, which was a refreshing change from the usual hot day we usually experience in June. Again, we saw many ladies complete this distance for their first time or come away with some great personal bests, all staying to cheer in the last foxy.

    Learn to Run … done!

    We also squeezed a new “learn to Run Course ” in September on a Thursday evening. We were delighted when all the ladies went on to graduate late in October, supported by existing Foxy members on a blustery seafront run. Completing their non-stop 5km and obtaining their certificate with pride. This group now have their own session they attend regularly.

    Festive Frolics

    The year finished with our usual festive antics. Our running routes included the charity lights in the Offington area and Saxifrage way. We also the obligatory town lights run and Soldier Trail that has become a familiar event in the Foxy Calendar. We had a huge turn out for the festive park run on Christmas Eve, some members achieving pbs even dressed as elves!!

    After Christmas we completed our annual Pier to Pier run. This year opting for the wind behind us and running from Worthing to Brighton instead before catching the train home. Last but by no means least approximately 30 members turned out in the pouring rain to get even wetter and muddier at the Brutal. https://brutal.run/events This is an 8km course in the old Army base in Longmoor, Hampshire on New Years Eve. With waist high water, steep hills and muddy bogs to crawl through everyone did so well to come back with smiles on their faces and both shoes on their feet. We had whole families take part and we have the ultimate respect for our junior girls that took part that day as water levels were so high and conditions very bleak.

    That concludes the end to another fun packed running year for the Foxy Ladies Running Club. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2023.

  • Rural defibrillators up and running.

    Rural defibrillators up and running.

    We did it!

    Following Foxy Ladies fundraising efforts at The First ever Cissbury Ring Marathon Relay 2021 we were delighted to raise enough money to buy two defibrillators through Sussex Heart Charity’s https://sussexheartcharity.org/ grant scheme. The grant, once approved, means your organisation contributes for the cost of the defibrillator and in return you receive a heated defib outer case, a Heartsine AED and AED familiarisation training for 10 people with Pulse South Coast https://pulsesouthcoast.co.uk/. We were really grateful to be able to apply and be approved for two defibs through this scheme.

    The Cissbury Marathon Relay event

    In Loving memory

    The fundraising was done by the members of Foxy Ladies Running Club, both adult and youth squad. It was in memory of Nick Votta, life partner of one of our dear long-term members Sam Merrick. Nick’s life was sadly taken too soon when he suffered a cardiac arrest in June 2021. Nick was a valued and respected member of the Findon Valley Community who loved walking up Cissbury Ring all year round.

    Nick Votta

    It was important to both Sam and the ladies of the club to try to get a defib in this area not only for sentimental reasons but as it is so widely used by members of the public and the nearest one was located at Lime Tree Surgery. We wanted to ensure if required it was in an accessible spot used by hikers, dog walkers, runners and mountain bikers.

    A lengthy process

    In November we took delivery of the two defibrillators and work had already begun in earnest working with local authorities to secure and approve locations and work out logistics, protecting the defibs and their all important battery life.

    Receiving the defibs

    Many months of administrative work followed in order to get the defibs placed in these rural locations. Permissions were needed from Adur & Worthing Council for defib 1, now located in Storringtion Rise Car Park and from the National Trust for defib 2, located on the south side of Cissbury ring. We also worked hard to source electricity in these areas but to no avail and were then advised they could be kept in medical insulation bags which would protect the four year battery life. The sourcing of the bags to fit the cases required time and patience as did the alterations to the cases to remove electrics and obstructions that may impact the construction of the specialist bags.

    Finally in February, the post went up followed by the defib case in March. Defib 1 is now live in Storrington rise car park and we pass our thanks to Council Ranger Graeme Brooker for making this happen. Two weeks later and Defib 2 has been installed and is live up at Cissbury, put in by National Trust Ranger for the area Graham Welfare. Again we are really grateful to him and the National Trust for giving their time to fix this up.

    Council ranger Graeme installing defib 1 in Storrington Rise

    His heart beats on

    As you can imagine both occasions have been very moving and emotional for Sam and her family and the members of club who are delighted to see what their running and fundraising have achieved. As Sam placed the battery in the defib and the light started to flash she felt like it was Nick’s heart beat living on. A plaque in loving memory of Nick will be placed with defib 2 and Sam thinks he would feel very honoured and humbled to know that he has a special place up at Cissbury and his name rests with something so positive.

    I am aware had we gone for the easier option of the defibs being placed somewhere accessible to electricity (outside of a building and wired into electrics) this would have been much more straightforward and they could have been up in a few days. I do hope this does not discourage anyone from installing a defib in future and hopefully now people will look to install them in rural areas ….as we now know this is possible!

    CPR Training

    During March approximately 60 club members received CPR and AED familiarisation over 5 separate evenings and from two different training providers. We now feel more informed and confident should we ever be the first on scene and need to perform CPR and use a defib. Our thanks go to Sally Holmes a community first responder with Secamb in Rustington https://www.secamb.nhs.uk/join-us/community-first-responders/ and Craig Sharples from Pulse South Coast for sharing their invaluable skills and knowledge.

    We hope no one ever has to use them but at least there is a little peace of mind to know there are some in the area if we ever do.

    Public Response

    We have all ready received messages of thanks from local residents and members of the public, grateful that they now have these vital pieces of equipment in their local vicinity. Some have also told us they have now booked into defib training too which is just brilliant.

    Specific Defib Locations

    Defib 1 – Storrington Rise Car Park, Storrington Rise, Worthing, BN14 0HT . What 3 words location “similar.correctly.canyons” Directions on left hand side of car park entrance.

    Defib 2 – Cissbury Ring, Agricultural land Mount Carvey, nr Cissbury Ring. What 3 words location “initiated.shuttled.steps” Directions near fingerpost in middle of grass area the grid reference for TQ138075.

    Special Thanks

    To Sam and her family for investing time, energy and emotion into this at such a difficult time in their lives.

    To all the members of Foxy Ladies Running Club who gave so generously with their donations and time to the event, raising enough money to provide these life saving pieces of equipment.

    To Terry and his team at Sussex Heart Charity, Dan and Graham at the National Trust and Graeme at the council.

    Thank you to Sue and Ian Hart for the venue for the defib training.

    Huge thanks to Sally Holmes and Craig Sharples for the CPR & AED familiarisation.

    The biggest thanks go to Jenny Blower for stepping up right at the beginning to help, working hard with me to see this project right through to the end, you are an absolute star.

  • The First ever Cissbury Ring Marathon Relay 2021

    The First ever Cissbury Ring Marathon Relay 2021

    Raising money for a life saving cause in memory of Nick Votta

    Here at Foxy Ladies Running club we pride ourselves on being one of the most supportive clubs around, more like a big family, so when something tragic happens to one of our members we all pull together to help them in any way we can.

    Why

    In June, one of our long-term members Sam Merrick lost her life partner Nick Votta of 35 years, in an unexpected heart attack, despite every effort to resuscitate him. He was a loving father of two, to his boys Matthew and Robbie. A real community-based man involved with the local Scouts organisation and always willing to lend a hand. He loved walking up Cissbury ring with his family and more recently with their foster dogs and of course the Findon Scout Group.

    We wanted to do something that celebrated his life and love for the countryside but that would also benefit the community. We set about organising the Cissbury Ring Marathon Relay in his memory. The aim being, to raise enough money for a defibrillator to be accessible in the local area for walkers, runners and cyclists.

    How

    The Foxy members were asked to take part in teams of eight and to pay an entrance fee per person to raise the necessary funds. We were overwhelmed with the response and received a whopping sign up of 19 teams. With permission given from the National Trust to run through the ring and along the inside, we mapped out a route that was 1.2 miles, which meant 22 laps in total, equating to 26.4 miles, just over a marathon distance for each team.

    When

    On a cold, windy but sunny November morning about 150 Foxy Ladies traipsed up the steep hill to the start line. Some in fancy dress or team colours and some with face paints but all with a great spirit. Picnic rugs were laid down and teams set about organising themselves and keeping warm. Flasks of hot drinks were produced, a cake table was set up and team attire was arranged.

    What

    The lap had one upward hill climb to start and then into the biting wind followed by a more sheltered and down hill return. Ladies ran in pairs from each team, not only for company but for safety although the route was well covered by all our lovely volunteer marshalls. The laps were marked up on the scoreboard and it was exciting to see them being crossed off every time the ladies came in.

    A few hours later all had completed their team marathons, even our youth girls aged 14 -18 took part and often helped other teams out by running laps for them. It was an emotional day for all that took part. Sam and her team “Vottas Vixens” all ran the last lap together in their specially designed red t-shirts. We are grateful to our club members and to all their partners for marshalling and volunteering on the day. All members were rewarded with a bespoke medal designed especially for the event and a unique one for Sam.

    Members of the public also donated money on the day and purchased some of the lovely homemade cakes during the event. We were lucky enough to have another Foxy husband, Gareth Blower run the London Marathon back in October and the sponsorship he raised of £625 has gone directly to this cause.

    The best news is that we have raised enough money to provide two rural defibrillators. This is in conjunction with The Sussex Heart Charity https://sussexheartcharity.org/ who provide a grant system to help with purchase, organisation and training of the defibs. We have now been given permission to place one up near Cissbury Ring and the other at Storrington Rise car park in their special cases and within a thermal bag to protect the defibs from the elements.

    We hope these devices may never be needed but if they help to save just one life, then it has been very worthwhile.

  • Run4Louis “down south”

    Run4Louis “down south”

    4Louis Fun Run

    On 8th August, 51 Foxy Ladies and six of their fox cubs took part in the 4Louis 5K Fun Run “Down South”.  The 4Louis 5K Fun Run is organised by the Darlingon Harriers (up North!) https://4louis.co.uk/fundraising-events . For us Foxy Ladies that is just a bit too far to travel…! In true foxy spirit, five creative foxes decided to organise their own spin off fun run “Down South”.  The fun run took place at Goring Gap and followed a loop, finishing off along the sea front.  The fox cubs ran the children’s “mini mile” on the day around the field. 

    Foxy Ladies and their cubs who were unable to attend ran their own virtual fun runs from wherever they were in the country! Everyone who took part received a gorgeous 4Louis pin badge and the top three runners won handmade medals produced by a fabulous foxy friend.  Once the runs were over, everyone enjoyed the delicious cakes that were made and brought along.  The event was a great success (despite the rain!) and we managed to raise a whopping £740 for 4Louis.

    About 4Louis

    4Louis is a UK charity based in Sunderland and founded by Louis’ parents Kirsty and Michael.  In 2009, Kirsty and Michael lost their baby boy Louis at 38 weeks of pregnancy.  They realised that there was very little support and memory making available for families who experience miscarriage, still birth, baby, or child death.  Every day in the UK 15 babies die either before, during or soon after birth.  1 in 4 pregnancies sadly end before 12 weeks. The charity provides the staff of hospitals and hospices with the tools and equipment to capture precious memories of families’ babies and children. They also fund study days, conferences, and courses for health professionals to improve their knowledge and help support families at this incredibly difficult time.

    About the run organisers

    The 4Louis 5K Fun Run “Down South” was organised by five special Foxy Ladies who met and became friends through the running club.  Michelle, Emma, Caroline, Karen, and Anya have all experienced the loss of a baby.  They catch up regularly either for a run, breakfast or often a glass of wine to chat and share their experiences.  Having the support of each other, especially on anniversaries, has provided a huge comfort for them. 

    Following the success of last year’s 4Louis virtual run and the overwhelming support the ladies have received from their fellow foxes, it only seemed right to organise a Fun Run “Down South”!They hope that this will become a regular fixture in the foxy calendar and that opening up about their experiences will allow other women and their families the opportunity to talk about baby loss. You can read more about their stories http://sme.e22.mytemp.website/2020/10/run-a-mile-in-my-shoes/

    Written By Emma Hill

  • What’s been going on?

    What’s been going on?

    Well you maybe wondering why it’s been so quiet on the Foxy Ladies Blog post for a few months. That’s because we have been so busy. Even during this third and hopefully final lockdown, where we have been restricted to running with just one other we have managed to find time to put a lot of fun into our running.

    What have we been up to?

    You may have seen in our January blog we got creative with “running map art” and the virtual team Colour Challenge http://sme.e22.mytemp.website/blog/ . Since then we tasked our members with a streak challenge. The ladies set their own length of streak, some chose a few days on the trot, others aimed for a week or two. Some members achieved the whole of January, running everyday and raising money for various charities along the way. A few well experienced runners even went beyond that, eventually finishing in February or March. Foxy Lady Kari, finished with a very impressive 100 day streak and some ladies are still going now squeezing a mile a day in between other runs to keep the streak alive! We witnessed ladies pushing themselves way beyond the goals they set which was fantastic.

    It was not compulsory to take part in any of our challenges, they are just there if the members want to. Most of them receive a good response and we hoped by setting different aims there would be something that appeals to everyone. Depending on how the Ladies prefer to operate – solo, pairs or virtual teams and what they enjoy doing, there was hopefully a task set to suit. There were more serious ones for those that like to push themselves. Or funny light hearted ones like spotting and jotting things. Ones to appeal and express mental health, with emotion and feeling led posts. Others to take them out of their comfort zone and to try new and different things.

    Challenge Accepted

    Over the last 3 months here are some of the Foxy challenges the ladies took part in;

    • #5kbpb which was helping a run buddy gain their 5km personal best
    • #Frebruage – run your age in miles/ Km’s within the month of February or within a week or double it if they could.
    • Duathlon – Bike / Run /Bike varying levels available depending on ability and a family option to get the kids involved.
    • LOVE – to tie in with Valentines day the ladies were given a week to say something on every run post that they LOVE about that run or running in general
    • #trysomethingnew involved options for the ladies to try on each of their runs- see below
    • #Runthemeanstreets – run every street in a small zone close to your home – you will be amazed how many miles you clock up!
    • Frebemoji – post only with emojis, reply in comments only in emojis – a lot harder than you think.
    • DUOSPOTATHON – the ladies could work in pairs to tick random items of lists and rewarded with different level status from Bronze through to Platinum, depending on number of items ticked off.
    • #lockdownrunninglife to identify a ➕positive a ➖negative and ✅something they achieved during the 3rd lockdown whilst running.

    What else?

    As well as all these challenges we also continued with twice weekly online strength sessions. We had some live “cook along with me” online cooking classes. This was a fun way to get together to make healthier choices for pre or post run fuel. We made protein & energy balls, cereal bars, overnight oats and stacked yoghurts along with tasty homemade granola whatever like it.

    St Patricks day – Craic 10k

    62 Foxy Ladies signed up to support the Spar Craic virtual 10k on 17th March making us the second biggest team taking part. Turning out in green running wear or fancy dress to take part in this big event that was live streaming through out the day led by our very own Emerald Isle leader Sinead.

    Last but by no means least

    Many of our ladies have also been taking part in some of the virtual charity runs or challenges that have been taking place. These have come in many different guises: either month long challenges, completing a set number of miles; or virtual races set on a certain day and all raising money for great causes.

    Although these challenges have kept our members busy and perhaps offered them some headspace outside of home, family and work life, what has been testament to our club culture is the way the ladies have supported each other at such a unpredictable time. Well done Foxy Ladies for getting through the latest Lockdown.

  • Creative Running

    Creative Running

    Move over Banksy ….the Foxy Ladies are the new artists about town!

    Art map creations helps the ladies stay focused

    From the 1st January for a week the members of FLRC were tasked with producing a work of art whilst out running. They either, ran a random route then using their imagination turned it into a masterpiece, or planned and created a route in the shape of something before they set out and completed the vision whilst out running. Whichever way round they did it they came up with some impressive ideas.

    The creations have been flooding in daily and it has proved a popular challenge. Keeping lots of our ladies motivated to run or walk (if injured) and produce artistic creations daily. They have taken to the sea front promenade, off road to the woods and trails or just around their local streets.

    Getting the family involved

    It has taken quite a lot of determination to keep going out through the recent cold and previously wet weather but once given a focus the ladies always rise to it. What is heart warming to see is the amount of family members getting involved. Whether it’s the children accompanying mum on a bike, or running along with them, or helping turn their maps into unique works of art. Even lots of the ladies partners have sprung into action as +1 running buddies to get creative.

    Streak challenge

    Alongside the arty maps we have also set the ladies a running streak challenge. They choose how long they set their running streak for x 3 days / 5 days / x 7 or more. Some ladies have even gone one step further and decided to run everyday for the whole month. RED January (run every day) or Run 31 are great challenges which are charity fund raisers for local and or national charities.

    With lockdown set to continue for some time yet, we aim to set weekly challenges to keep the ladies running when and where they can, adhering to all government COVID safe guidelines. As well as a weekly task we continue to support and encourage our members with 1 to 1 running, twice weekly zoom strength classes, alternative exercise solutions, wellbeing mindfulness and informative posts.

  • Foxes give generously to support Worthing’s Food Bank

    Foxes give generously to support Worthing’s Food Bank

    The Trussell Trust

    The aim of the Trussell Trust is to end hunger and poverty in the UK.  They are a nationwide service that provide emergency food and support to impoverished families. Please see the good work they do on this link https://www.trusselltrust.org/

    There are more than 14 million people within the UK living in poverty, staggeringly 4.5 million of these people are children.

    Between April 2019 and March 2020 food banks in the Trussell Trust network provided 1.9 million food supplies to families in crisis, this was an increase of 18% from the previous year. I dread to think what the effects of Covid 19 will do to the statistics next year.

    Government decisions have consequences.

    Just thinking about how Covid 19 would affect vital charity resources like this one, which offer a lifeline to so many families locally, is my main reason for deciding to help. I, myself have two children but am lucky enough to have a secure job within the NHS. It breaks my heart to think that there are children out there starving in our country – a country that is the fifth wealthiest country in the world.

    When our Government made the appalling decision and voted against feeding our nation’s vulnerable children during these difficult times, by not extending the free school meals, it highlighted the need for national and local campaigns. Children simply cannot go without food and we need to help end child food poverty. With the outstanding work and tireless campaigning by Marcus Rashford it inspired me and the Foxy Ladies to get involved.

    Donation Station

    I set up a donation station at my home address and asked the Foxy members to get involved by dropping off donations from the Trussell’s Trust wish list. These included tinned and packet foods along with toiletries and essential hygiene items like deodorants and sanitary products.

    We are really proud to have collected a substantial amount of food and toiletries to help those in need. In just two weeks my lounge was full due to the generosity and kindness of our members.   

    A massive THANK YOU to all you wonderful Foxy Ladies you rock xxxxxxx

    by Philippa Barker

    Email from Trussell Trust

    Dear Julia, Philippa and all the Ladies at the Foxy Ladies Running Club,

    This email is to say a huge thank you for all the wonderful things you donated to Worthing Foodbank. Philippa brought the items in on Thursday, which weighed in @ 164 Kgs plus lots all the toiletry items. We are so grateful for your donations and it will help us continue to feed people in crisis within Worthing for the coming months. It is doubly important right now during this time because we are not allowed to carry out collection outside the supermarkets.

    Please pass on my thanks to all who donated and to you who organised this collection and delivered it to our warehouse.

    Thank you so much

    Julie Denyer (Foodbank Manager)

    If you would like to drop off any donations please contact Julia at the Trust and look for donations points on their face book page https://www.facebook.com/Worthing-Foodbank-145853048759067


  • Run a mile in my shoes…

    Run a mile in my shoes…

    Four incredibly strong women come together to share their losses, to support each other and raise awareness.

    Caroline, Emma, Karen and Michelle were initially united through running but now been bought closer together through sharing their experiences of the loss of their precious little ones. These four amazing women meet up to support each other which makes them feel more comfortable and able to talk about and share their stories.

    These ladies thought would be good to raise awareness and support for others inside the club . They wanted to help other club members who perhaps wanted to run and chat about their own experiences. They began organising ‘Run a mile in my Shoes’ which are run and talk runs for SANDS Stillbirth and neonatal death society https://www.sands.org.uk/about-sands . SANDS organised ‘Walk a Mile in My shoes’ which our girls adapted to Run a mile in my shoes. They received an overwhelming response and have already held a few runs but have now sadly had to limit the numbers to be in line with government guidelines and Covid19 safety restrictions.

    Caroline says…

    When I joined this running club it was about getting fit, challenging myself and achieving my goals! But…. it’s so much more! I have met some extremely strong ladies who have been through something a women should never have to deal with…. the loss of a much loved and wanted child. Some find it difficult to talk about this but through the Foxy Ladies, we have talked, ran and shared our experiences, I will be forever grateful to know such strong and inspiring women who have without a doubt made this something we can open up about and share our grief. We have hosted some run and talk sessions linked to the SANDS Charity, Run a Mile in my Shoes, raising awareness and supporting each other. It’s very comforting to see how it can bring us together even more.

    Emma’s journey…

    After a long and difficult journey, I became pregnant in 2017.  Very early on I was told that I was carrying identical twins who were joined at the placenta.  This meant that they would be sharing a blood supply and could be at risk of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) where the twins could share unequal amounts of blood flow.  We were referred to the multiple pregnancy unit at University College London Hospital (UCLH) where I was monitored with scans every couple of weeks.  We were already very anxious about my pregnancy so found this all quite overwhelming. 

    Mylo and Stanley

    At around 26 weeks pregnant and on the August bank holiday weekend, I woke up concerned that I could feel much less movement from the twins.  We called the hospital and made the long journey from Worthing to Euston to have scan at UCLH.  The nurse could only find one heartbeat on the monitor and called in someone else to help her but unfortunately the team couldn’t find the heartbeat of our smallest twin Stanley.  Sadly, around four weeks later, Mylo passed away too. Our twins had lost their lives due to TTTS.  At 31 weeks I was induced and gave birth to our twins naturally at the hospital on 22nd September 2017. As you can imagine this was a traumatic and upsetting experience for both Paul and me. 

    Our support

    The whole team at UCLH were incredible and both us and the twins were treated with so much kindness, dignity and respect.  Unfortunately, one stillborn baby is born every day at UCLH and the hospital has its own room, the butterfly suite, for families like ours.  Following their birth, we were given hand and footprints for Mylo and Stanley, photographs and a memory box to take home.   This was all made possible thanks to the work of three amazing charities: The Butterfly Fund at UCLH, SANDS and 4Louis. 

    Life since the twins’ birth has been hard and both Paul and I have tried to find different ways to help us cope.  This has included running, which as well as helping us clear our minds, has allowed us to help raise money for TAMBA – The Twin And Multiple Birth Association – through the London Marathon (Paul!) and for SANDS – the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity – through the Cardiff half marathon and Great South Run (both of us!). 

    The Foxy Ladies

    When I joined the Foxy Ladies about a year after the twins were born, I didn’t tell anyone about my experience.  I was feeling unfit and not very confident.  Unfortunately, stillbirth is a taboo subject in our society, and I was worried about people not wanting to talk to me or what they might think.  I soon found the group to be so supportive and both my confidence in running and talking to others grew. 

    I noticed on our Foxy Facebook page one day a fellow fox wearing a 4Louis running top.  I reached out and contacted Michelle as I thought either she had been through this experience herself or she knew someone who had.    We arranged to meet for a hot chocolate and spoke about losing our babies.  Speaking to someone who has been through a similar experience to you suddenly takes the weight off your shoulders as you’ve found someone who ‘just gets it’. 

    Sharing our experiences

    Our running club is so social and inclusive that after talking to other friends we found out about another fox, Caroline, who had experienced stillbirth too.  Our little group grew further when we met Karen who had lost her son early in his life.  Meeting each other, talking about our babies and what we had been through has meant so much to me and allowed me to better deal with the grief of losing Mylo and Stanley.  

    Run a Mile in My Shoes

    During lockdown so many foxes took part in a sponsored run for the charity 4Louis and ran to mark Caroline’s son’s birthday too.  It was like a breath of fresh air and gave me personally the courage to talk more openly about my experience of stillbirth.  When I saw SANDS promoting their latest campaign ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ I knew that this was something that us foxes could get involved in – but in true foxy style we would run not walk!

    As a group, we have started to organise some short, inclusive runs where our fellow foxy ladies could come, chat, ask questions but most importantly be together and share our collective experiences of baby loss.  Being an all-female running group and coming from a place of support and encouragement felt like such an important opportunity for us to get together.  Our aim is to raise awareness of baby loss and to try and make this something that is more acceptable to talk about.  If we manage to raise some vital funds for SANDS along the way, then even better!

    Karen’s story

    This is Jack, Jack Adam Blunsdon, ‘ chunky monkey’Jack was born on the 11th January 2006.

    After a traumatic birth, with Jack requiring resuscitation and ventilation, we made it to SCBU. Nobody knew what was the matter with him, all we knew was that he was very little, very poorly, but a fighter. I had a normal pregnancy and up until the minute he arrived we didn’t know anything was wrong, and so the rollercoaster ride of our lives began.

    We spent the first 6 weeks of Jacks life in intensive care, with the amazing Drs and nurses at St George’s hospital, Tooting, managing to get Jack to breathe on his own. He was still really floppy, could only feed from a tube and couldn’t swallow, but he was alive and that’s all that mattered. We were going home…..

    Life became a whirlwind of hospital admissions, and medical appointments, but Jack was holding his own and becoming quite a character.

    At 7 months old and during a particularly long hospital stay, Jack was diagnosed with X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) which is a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder that is characterised by muscle weakness and is most typically severe but can range from mild to profound. Our world came tumbling down.

    This particular hospital admission was for Jack to have another operation to help him keep his food down and also to look into his breathing. The results weren’t good and Jack was put on Bipap a non- invasive form of ventilation.

    A long conversation with a specialist told us that Jacks time was limited, he was already beginning to struggle and his health was deteriorating. We were lucky we had another amazing 5 months with Jack. Everyday he fought, and so did we. We weren’t giving up until he did.

    On the 11th January 2007, Jacks first birthday, he passed away. Our beautiful, brave little boy ran out of strength to carry on fighting, and so we said goodbye.

    There is nothing that anybody can do or say to stop the pain, but there are wonderful people like those that gave support from the Myotublar Trust https://myotubulartrust.org/ they have lived and are living your life, felt the highs and lows, the good and bad. They are there for advice, to shout and swear at, but most of all to listen and understand what you are feeling.

    The Myotubular Trust was the only support network I had in those early days, and they literally helped me keep my sanity in the darkest of days.

    I wanted to be involved in the ‘Run a Mile in my Shoes’ so that by talking about Jack, it makes me feel like he is acknowledged and never forgotten about. He made his mark for the short time he was here and talking about him keeps that little bit of him alive⭐️?

    I’d really like to express my gratitude for the support and friendship give by Emma Caroline and Michelle. Losing a baby is unthinkable, talking about your feelings and your mental health to strangers feels uncomfortable. You don’t know how they will react talking about such an emotive subject, but these ladies get it, they’ve been there, they understand, as have so many other Foxy’s. I should have realised that joining a women’s running group would bring more than sweaty lycra and stinky trainers. I’ve made lifelong friendships with so many strong, supportive, kind, and caring women. Thank you Foxy’s.

    Karen continues to raise money for the fantastic charity and given the current climate funds are very crucial at the moment if you wish to donate please click on this link https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/2116?fbclid=IwAR16gmzKz2Mn_hcsT1jVORbeuXgWbuaznXDZ6FeKO23rvZ0cBMVfjIT0_pI#!/DonationDetails#%2FDonationDetails

    Michelle’s words

    I ran the London Landmarks half marathon last year and was supporting a charity Run 4 Louis https://www.facebook.com/run4louis/ running in memory of my two babies Angel and Katie who I’d lost in pregnancy.

    Another Foxy member Emma contacted me and we met for coffee. I will never forget that day. We talked and talked about our babies. Emma was so honest and open about her twin boys and for the first time I realised it was ok to talk about my girls. For years I’d felt that I was making people feel uncomfortable when I mentioned my babies so just avoided it.

    We have now also met two other strong, amazing and inspirational women, Caroline and Karen who have again shown me it’s OK to talk, to share, to cry , to be proud of our babies. We all talk, we run , we drink coffee (or Prosecco) we’re there for each other and I cannot thank these girls enough.

    I am just so thankful I joined. It’s so much more than a running group.

  • Run Around the World 2020

    Run Around the World 2020

    Lockdown has been going on a long while and during that time the Foxy Ladies have been doing some great challenges. In June a virtual challenge popped up in my Facebook feed from the amazing ‘Run Things’. Run Things is a virtual challenge organisation who raises money for Mind the mental health challenge which is a great cause and one close to mine and lots of other foxes hearts. https://runthings.co.uk/ My ears pricked up as at Christmas we had participated in a challenge called ‘Run up to Christmas’ which had been lots of fun and earnt us a fabulous Christmas Tree Medal.

    Virtual Is the way forward during the uncertainty

    The great thing about a virtual challenge is that instead of attending a ‘Race day’ at an official time and place, runners can take part in the time and place of their choice and can run a distance they are comfortable with. This meant that Foxes who were injured could also take part in this challenge which made it really inclusive. It was also a great way to increase motivation for all members of the club. You also received a medal at the end and it was an ‘eco’ wooden medal!

    The Challenge

    The idea of the challenge was to try and run as far round the world as you can during the month of July. Not only were you running and seeing your own total of miles run grow but you were contributing to the grand total of miles for the Foxy Ladies team.

    The stats

    Every run counted and we had 85 Foxy Ladies taking part. The team spirit was amazing and everyone was getting out there and really adding to the fantastic total of 7839km / 4570 miles that we completed during the challenge. Total duration was 1324 hours of running which is over 55 days. and Foxy Ladies ran the furthest of all the teams representing Team South!

    The feedback was really positive with ladies saying how motivating they found the challenge especially as summer running is much harder and then nicely topped off with the satisfaction that we raised a considerable sum for ‘Mind’.

    By Clare Packer – Foxy Organiser for the RATW Challenge

    Sarah Kempster and her eco RATW medal.