Going The Extra Mile: Meet Joshua and David, Our Incredible Fundraisers
We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of two incredible young individuals, Joshua and David, who took on the challenging TCS Virtual London Marathon 2023 to fundraise in support of Street League.
As previous participants in our programmes, they have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to making a difference in not only their own lives but also the lives of others through their generosity.
Joshua chose to fundraise for Street League because he empathises deeply with those young people who find themselves uncertain about their next steps after school. Joshua's goal was to make a positive impact, and completing the marathon became a powerful vehicle for his desire to help others. For David, the virtual marathon was an unforgettable journey filled with both challenges and moments of joy. David chose to fundraise for Street League because he deeply believes in the cause and recognises the privilege he possesses. He explained, "I really believe in the cause. It's interesting realising how fortunate you are when you actually open your eyes to other’s circumstances and being young myself really made me want to help other young people who are not as fortunate." On reflecting on their experiences, they shared:
“I chose to fundraise for Street League because I would like to help the people that are unfortunately unsure of their next steps after school and hopefully, this will help them in some way. I felt relieved and had peace of mind knowing I helped others by taking on this challenge.”
“Since being involved with Street League, I have fallen in love with the kindness every member has shown and the people there. Completing the TCS Virtual London Marathon was fun, yet challenging at times, but it was an experience I would gladly do again any day. The feeling that you get, knowing you’re helping out, even if it is small, but getting fit at the same time, is priceless.”
Throughout their marathon journey, Joshua and David received tremendous guidance and support from their coach, John. He witnessed their incredible work ethic and passion during their time at our Sport and Employability Academy and Street Sports programme. John described Joshua and David as remarkable individuals, each possessing unique characteristics that make them a joy to be around.
He shared, "Both lads worked incredibly hard on the lead-up to the marathon and on the day. They are great individuals who have been a pleasure to work with. They have shown dedication and passion in what they do." John also highlighted their remarkable support for each other during the marathon, mentioning, "Both lads found the marathon difficult for different reasons. They had to split the run into two half marathons resulting from other commitments. David had church, and Joshua had to meet his family before continuing again later in the day. It was great to see how both lads supported each other throughout the run. When Joshua finished his marathon, he continued until David finished his."
We would also like to express our immense gratitude to Maersk for their generous donation, which played a significant role in helping Joshua and David achieve their fundraising targets. Your support gave Joshua and David the encouragement they required and made a tangible difference in the lives of the young people who are most in need. Thank you!