Dani, who has volunteered on RASASC’s helpline for the past 18 months, providing support and signposting for survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their families, is taking on the challenge of the half marathon next month to raise money and awareness for RASASC.

We caught up with Dani to find out her motivations for taking on the challenge, how training is going and her hopes for the day:

“I have never run longer than 5k before, I only started running at all a couple of years ago thanks to Couch to 5K - a really wonderful app that I would recommend to all wannabe runners! I was always useless at PE in school and I wrote myself off as ‘not an exercise person’ for so many years. I’ve found running has improved my life in many ways - particularly my mental health and so I’m ready to take on a bigger challenge."

What are you doing for training and how is it going?

“I’ve always run outside, but now that I will be running more frequently and the cold weather is upon us, I’ve joined a gym and have been hitting the treadmill. I have a 16 week training plan from a friend who has run many marathons and so I totally trust her judgment. It involves doing two short runs, one strength training workout and one long run per week. The 16 week plan allows for injury time so it doesn’t impact my progress - although I’m really hoping that won’t be my experience!”

What are your hopes for the day?

“I hope the day is dry! It’s the end of April but we never know in the UK - it could be snowing! I hope that I feel a real sense of achievement and that I can aim for a marathon the following year.”

Why are you supporting RASASC?

“I’m running for RASASC as I’ve volunteered on the helpline for 18 months and have seen first-hand the amazing work they do. All charities will be feeling the pinch from the current cost of living crisis, so I want to do my part in fundraising.”

Thank you so much Dani, it sounds like training is going brilliantly, and we wish you all the best for the day.

If you’d like to support Dani, you can do so through her JustGiving page. She’s set herself the target of raising £500, and is well on the way to smashing it!

All the money raised will go towards our vital work supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse across Surrey.

To find out what's involved in taking part in an event for RASASC, read the events FAQs at the bottom of our FAQs page, and visit our events page to find out which events we are involved with.