UPDATE: The Great South Run was cancelled due to the stormy weather but I did manage to complete the 10 mile distance locally on the day. Thank you so much to all my generous supporters (otherwise I would have probably stayed home in front of the TV)!
Oxfordshire is regarded as an affluent part of the country and it can be an expensive region to live and work in. On any visit to Oxford city it's clear to see that alongside the locals and the tourists there are many people who have nowhere to live and so are living on the streets. On a recent evening out I saw a large group setting up tents, tarpaulins and bedding right in the city centre. I can't imagine how awful it must be to have no roof over your head at night. The number of people living this way has certainly increased in recent years and without support into housing and employment their situation looks grim. Many people try to help by giving money directly to homeless people they see while others worry whether the money will be spent on drugs or alcohol so won't be of any benefit. Aspire is a charity that uses donations to make a real difference to people's lives, transforming difficult circumstances and bringing hope for better futures. Ann Poole