Tim Farron to tackle the London Marathon and fundraise for local youth project

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, will run the London Marathon on Sunday 3 October to raise funds for South Lakes charity, Brathay Trust, to help young people most negatively affected by the pandemic.

Tim's fundraising efforts will support an inclusive youth project aiming to improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of local young people aged 11-18. Brathay Trust will lead the project by working with local providers to help raise the aspirations of young people and broaden their life choices.

Already a keen runner, Tim has completed several running events including the gruelling Langdale Half Marathon whilst raising funds for local charities. However, this will be his first event at marathon distance and he is excited to step up to the challenge.

Tim said: "Many of our local young people have been hit hard by the pandemic, either through isolation, unemployment, or a lack of direction and purpose, resulting in poverty, loneliness and poor mental health. It is vital we offer the support they need and as a proactive youth charity already working out in our local community, Brathay is well placed to lead a Kendal-based project that will provide the chance for the town's most vulnerable young people to get the help they need to boost their wellbeing.

"This will be my first ever London Marathon and I am so excited to be doing it for Brathay who have been incredibly supportive. It will be really special to take part in the year that the event is returning."

Tim will be joined by six other runners who have also secured a place to run for Brathay Trust.

The charity, based in Ambleside, touches the lives of over 7000 young people throughout the North of England every year, through a unique combination of community programmes and life-changing outdoor residential experiences in the Lake District and has several major fundraising challenge events throughout the year including the ASCIS Windermere Marathon, Langdale Marathon and Langdale Half Marathon.

Those wishing to support Tim's fundraising efforts can donate to his JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/timfarronlondonmarathon