Two Edinburgh sisters are taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon in an attempt to raise thousands for the charity Action for Children.
Action for Children helps young people who are experiencing homelessness for a variety of reasons and offers them practical support.
The two mums, who are in their fifties and have seven children between them, have been training hard to take part in the run that will take place on Sunday 29 May 2022.
Patricia Miller works for the charity and her sister Gillian Robinson is extremely dedicated to the cause.
They have started a JustGiving page with the aim of raising £3,000 - so far they have raised £2,724 and are asking for the Edinburgh public to help them get over the line.
The Bank of New York has also agreed to match whatever the sisters are able to fundraise.
On their fundraising page, Patricia said: “I am a young person’s housing support practitioner working with Action for Children. A charity dedicated to making a difference in children's and young people’s lives.
“I work with young people who find themselves homeless. We support these young people to learn basic skills like cooking and budgeting skills they will need for the future.
“Young people become homeless for many different reasons. Family relationships breaking down, domestic violence, abuse, neglect and bereavement are just some of them.
“Can you imagine having to live on the streets as a young person? We have young people turn up here with only the clothes on their backs.
“This is why we started a previous fund to give each young person a suitcase containing toiletries, jammies, housecoats etc.
“From the get-go, we want our young people to know the staff at Action for Children care.
“We support their emotional and mental health by bridging the gap to form trusting relationships they can rely on.
“We aim to create a fund for young people to get a passport. Without formal identification, like a passport, they cannot open a bank account, and in turn, cannot get a job.
“We would also like to have enough money to arrange an activity. Some of our young people have never had the opportunity to eat in a restaurant or go to a cinema, pastimes most of us take for granted.
“My sister Gill and I have seven children between us and are passionate about making a difference in the young people’s lives that I support.
“Gill is super motivated for the cause, the comparison from her Strava last year to this looks like she's been brought back from the dead.
“We both have a five in front of our age so training for, and completing a marathon, is no small feat, but with the end goal of raising money for an extremely worthwhile cause, we are determined.
“But we need your help to give the young people an identity and a new experience.
“We would love it if you could support us and donate anything you can.”
Action for Children help disadvantaged children across the UK, from before they are born until they are into their twenties. They help them through fostering or adoption – and by intervening early to stop neglect and abuse.
They also make life better for disabled children and influence policy and advocate for change, you can visit their website here.
You can support the loving pair by visiting and donating to their JustGiving page here.
