THANK YOU TO ALL OUR #TEAMGREENHOUSE SUPERSTARS WHO TOOK ON A CHALLENGE EVENT THIS OCTOBER
Greenhouse Sports
October was a busy and exciting time for our challenge event superstars who took part in various running events with #TeamGreenhouse, raising over £48,500 to help us change the lives of young Londoners through sport.
On 3rd October we had a team of five runners take part in the Virgin Money London Marathon, who each took on the epic challenge of running 26.2 miles.
Our runners dedicated many months to long training runs and also took part in an Adidas Runners Session at Battersea Track in the lead up to marathon day. A big thank you to Adidas Runners for inviting our runners to join the sessions.
We asked our runners about their marathon experience and why they chose to support Greenhouse Sports.
Matt, said:
“I was fortunate to be introduced to sports as a young kid, and this had a lasting impact on my life. I learned the shared joy of team work, the thrill of competition and the health benefits of being active. I know that this is not a universal privilege, far from it. This is why the amazing work of Greenhouse Sports has inspired me and why I was thrilled to run for them this year. I’ve seen their work first hand, which gave me extra motivation over the epic London course! Let’s go Greenhouse!”
Ayo, said:
“Having grown up with sports and in London, the opportunity to run in support of Greenhouse Sports was a cause deeply close to my heart. Personally, I know the power sport possesses in changing and developing young lives. The marathon was amazing, the crowds of London cheered me all the way to the finish line – I think I’ll be heading back next year for another dose!”
Coach Carl, said:
I really enjoyed my first ever marathon and now have the bug to do more marathons in the future. I’m a born Londoner so running the London Marathon was something on my bucket list. The experience was amazing, thank you to everyone who supported me. Running for Greenhouse Sports has been a pleasure and a great way for me to say goodbye after nearly 3 years of working as a Greenhouse basketball coach.”
Rachel, said:
“Being a teacher in a state school in South London, I believe passionately that every child deserves a fair chance to succeed in life. Greenhouse coaches work in my school supporting students, building their confidence, resilience and team work skills through sport, allowing young people to develop key life skills to help them thrive.
I have personally seen the impact their coaching and mentoring has on numerous young people aged 11-16 and how this has helped them to be more successful in their education and wider lives. I chose to support Greenhouse Sports to ensure that more young people are able to benefit from their support now, and in the future.”
Nathan, who is also an ex-Greenhouse Sports basketball participant, said:
“When I was first asked if I wanted to run the marathon, before I even pondered whether I’d be able to do it or the time I could complete it in, I just thought – I have to do it! I thought it would be a great way to showcase my support for the charity but to also be a role model and set an example for the thousands of kids who are part of Greenhouse today.”
A huge congratulations and a big thank you to all of our amazing London Marathon runners. All the miles they put into their training and every penny raised will go towards developing the lives of young Londoners and giving them the opportunities they deserve to succeed in life.
On the very same Sunday as the marathon, Barnaby Ware was in Barcelona taking on the incredible challenge of completing an Ironman, which he did in an impressive 10 hours and 52 minutes.
Barnaby said:
“Back in 2019, I decided to sign up to Ironman Barcelona… a 2.2 mile swim, 112 mile cycle, followed by a marathon. The reason why I’ve put myself and my body through 10+ hours of training a week for the last two years, is all to raise money for Greenhouse Sports.
Sports has been a big part of my life growing up – from mud fights and daisy chains to the brilliant coaching I had through school. The positive impact sport has had on my life, from friendships and even as an escape over the last two years, is massive. The lack of opportunities for so many young people is such an easily addressable gap. I know that the work Greenhouse Sports do with young people in London has a truly tangible impact.”
Congratulations to Barnaby for such an inspirational achievement. Thanks to supporters like Barnaby we can continue to positively impact the physical and mental wellbeing of the young people our coaches work with every day.
If that’s not enough excitement for one month, on 10th October we had 34 runners take part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon, running 13.1 miles across one of London’s most scenic routes, all whilst raising funds and awareness for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. We had a group of Greenhouse staff running as part of our team, along with corporate supporters from Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, Bluewater and Pinsent Masons.
When we asked Lulama why she took on the challenge of running her first ever half marathon, she said:
“During the first lockdown the bad thoughts and the time to think was too much, I was gaining more weight than I wanted to and so on, so I decided to STOP. I started running and the outcome was unexpected – I started to love it and I was feeling better every day. Running the half marathon and raising money for Greenhouse Sports gave me a reason to keep going.”
We asked Richard how he found the experience and he said:
“Running the half marathon was an amazing experience. Seeing first-hand the amazing job our coaches do working with young people inspired me to run and raise some funds. Being a part of the Greenhouse team was brilliant, and it gave me a real lift seeing our supporters on the side lines and seeing other Greenhouse running vests on the course, even when they were powering past me in the latter stages!”
A massive thank you to everyone who took part in our October challenge events! Together, we can change lives.
