A spotlight on our Brighton Marathon Runners!

Jigsaw (South East) are incredibly fortunate to have a number of local runners in the Brighton Marathon on 12 September 2021. We couldn’t do what we do without these incredible fundraisers’ support and so we want to turn the spotlight on them, our community needs heroes like them.

Meet mum of two, Lucy Douglas, 40, from East Grinstead. Lucy set herself a challenge in December 2020 to complete 40 running challenges to celebrate her 40th birthday.

Lucy comments; “As a result of the pandemic, lots of small charities had a really tough year and I wanted to fundraise for Jigsaw South East to help support local children who are dealing with bereavement. My sister and I lost our mum when we were very young and whilst we had a wonderful support network around us, I know others aren’t as lucky. This is my third marathon and I am training hard in the hope I can run it in under five hours.”

To support Lucy, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lucy-douglas10

Sean Begley, 35, from East Grinstead is running his first ever full marathon, although he has been a member of East Grinstead Running Club for two years and has regularly completed half marathons.

Sean adds; “Jigsaw is a charity close to the heart of East Grinstead Runners and as a father to two young children, I was delighted to support this charity to help local young people. If the donations raised from my fundraising help take the children’s minds off the situation they find themselves in then I will have helped, children should be able to be children.”

To support Sean, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-sean-begley

Introducing Darija Sparkes, 45, from East Grinstead. Darija is also running her inaugural marathon and has been training with her club as a member of East Grinstead Running Club.

Darija says; “I wanted to bring a positive change to support those in greatest need following the past 18 months of tough and unpredictable times. I feel so privileged to support the incredible work that Jigsaw does to help children in our community.”

To support Darija, please visit www.justgiving.com/Darija-sparkes1

Robin Hughes, 29, from Streatham, London started running regularly again a couple of years ago to get fit and loved it! His first ever marathon, Robin used the commute to and from his office to train.

Robin comments; “my mum is involved with Jigsaw so I have seen the real, tangible impact they make on the lives of young people going through some really tough times.”

To support Robin, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Robin-Hughes4

Finally, meet Chris Sutton, 42, from Weston Turville, Buckinghamshire. Whilst he has run other running events and triathlons before in aid of children’s charities, this is his first marathon supporting Jigsaw.

Chris explains why he wants to support Jigsaw; “I’m a family man with a fantastic wife and two beautiful boys. My fundraising will help to pay for the Jigsaw staff and activities for families in need. As someone who started training from a couch to 5k app, my advice is #startwithwhy – because you can.”

To support Chris, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-sutton14

Frank Sims, Charity Director, comments; ““As a charity, we are so grateful to our community for their fundraising support. Completing a personal challenge like the Brighton Marathon is an incredible individual achievement for each of our runners and, just as critically, helps us to support more children dealing with bereavement. We still have a big job to do to meet the unmet need in our community, with over 1,000 children losing a parent every year across Surrey and West Sussex. We are committed to being here to support local children who need us now and in the future.”