Team Jewish Care marathon runners raise over £35,000

10 runners from Team Jewish Care ran the 26.2 miles of the TCS London Marathon under blue skies with cheering crowds lining the route. They raised over £35,000 for Jewish Care’s vital work supporting older people in our community.

This year, Jewish Care had three pairs of runners in its team, including three runners who volunteer for the charity. Some of the runners have close connections to Jewish Care and were running in gratitude for the care their relatives have received in our care homes. Others are themselves volunteers for the charity and see each the vital support Jewish Care provides.

The youngest runner, Ella Marchant, 23, has just finished her studies and qualified as a pharmacist. After completing her marathon, Ella says, “Jewish Care is extremely important to me and over many years, I have had the privilege of seeing the incredible work that the charity does to support people in our community.

“I began volunteering at Jewish Care’s Jack Gardner House care home for people with mental health needs when I was 13 for my Duke of Edinburgh Award but I found it so rewarding and enjoyed spending time with the residents, so I continued volunteering. Jewish Care has a positive impact on so many people’s lives in so many ways.

“I feel a huge sense of accomplishment now that I’ve run the marathon and truly understand that anything is possible if you put your mind to it! My best part was running over Tower Bridge – the atmosphere was electric and it was incredible to see the views of London and the cheering. I also loved coming out of the quiet of Blackwall Tunnel and hearing the crowds again and some great music.

Ella, who ran together with her friend, Rachel Sonn, who is a Learning Support Assistant at JCOSS, says, “It was really special to be able to run together with Rachel. We kept each other going and picked each other up when we needed it. I don’t think I could have done it without her by my side! Training has been a huge challenge alongside a tricky year of working and exams but it was incredible. I’m a bit sore but I feel really lucky to have experienced it.”

Laura Margolis, a Volunteer Team Leader at Jewish Care’s Michael Sobell Community Centre, was running her second marathon, this time with her friend Anastasia Daniels. Laura says, “It was an incredible day but the last few miles were very tough. The crowds were the reason we got through it. The atmosphere and spirit of everyone around us was something special. As was seeing our friends, family and colleagues from Jewish Care cheering us on at various points around the course which gave us the lift we needed to push on to the end.

“I ran the Marathon 33 years ago with my late father and as a regular runner I’ve always felt I wanted to give it another go. When the Marathon race day was changed from April to October post-covid, it meant training through the summer months rather than winter so I knew now was the time to go for it. So along with my dear friend Anastasia who has also been my running partner for the past 10 years, we went for it and I knew Jewish Care was who we’d want to raise money for.

“I began volunteering about 10 years ago. My late mother-in-law was living with early onset dementia. Jewish Care stepped in to offer help and advice to my husband and his siblings at a very difficult time for us all. It inspired me to want to get involved and so I became a Volunteer Team Leader at Jewish Care’s Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre. I had been volunteering there for about six years when Covid hit and the Centre had to close. I was involved in Meals on Wheels deliveries and started phoning several members each week to keep in touch – one lovely gentleman I still phone every Friday for a chat.”

Diane Sherling is a jeweller, 48, married with two children and four pets and lives in Totteridge. She said, “I decided to run the London Marathon because I’ve always loved working out and wanted to use my body to do good. I wanted to run for Jewish Care because they were amazing in supporting my grandma when she lived at Jewish Care’s Rosetrees care home. I spent a lot of time with my grandma there and saw just how genuine and committed the carers were for her and the other residents. Over lockdown, Jewish Care’s online programs were amazing for my mum. She has enjoyed the online art classes and yoga as well as virtual museum tours and talks – it has kept her connected, inspired and has been amazing for her physical and mental wellbeing.”

Also running for Jewish Care was Rob Sher, 29, who lives in Belsize Park and has generously volunteered his time as Chair of Young Jewish Care for four years up until May this year. Rob was running for Jewish Care in his first marathon having completed his Royal Parks Half Marathon for Jewish Care earlier this year.