NEWS ROUND-UP
Why charity runs in Trigg family
Jason and Kerinda Trigg have always chased tough challenges – both at home and at work.
Parents to five children and to a host of security and loss prevention enterprises, the couple from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, have set themselves some new and physical challenges for 2018 – all of which involve personal achievements and charity goals.
While Jason trains for his second London Marathon to raise money for the MS Society, Kerinda has raised the bar with a number of personal challenges for a variety of charities close to her heart.
Having never run more than a mile before 2017 when she entered the Brighton & Hove Triathlon, Kerinda took part in the Hampton Court Half Marathon on 18th February, the first of her 2018 hurdles, and all in the name of the UK Sepsis Trust to raise much-needed funds and awareness for such an awful and potentially life threatening disease.
“As a person, I am a bit of a ‘goal setter’ and share the belief this is the best way to live your best life. Setting goals doesn’t need to be complicated or intimidating. The act of writing down a goal makes it 10 times more likely to happen – so what have you got to lose!
“Over the next 12 months I will be taking part in a range of events and helping to raise money for my chosen charities and if you can spare a ‘tenner’ for any one of these causes it will go towards making a difference to the lives of those affected and help to raise both awareness and funds.”
On May 5th Kerinda is getting in the saddle as part of the Women v Cancer Ride the Night where she will cycle 100 km to raise money for a host of cancer charities including Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
“I was 20 years old when my Auntie Pam died of breast cancer - she was 47. I remember thinking at the time how old that seemed. I am 47 on my next birthday and it feels like no age at all. This is for my sister’s who have both fought breast cancer and for all women out there who continue to fight, those who have lost their fight and those who have yet to fight,” she said.
The other events Kerinda plans to take part in will be revealed as her training progresses, but she plans to raise money for Addaction, supporting young adults and children to make positive behavioural changes around the abuse of alcohol, drugs and improving their mental health and wellbeing.
In addition, she is also raising funds for Laughter Specialists, a charity which brings laughter and fun-based therapy to children with disabilities and special needs and Centrepoint, the homeless charity helping to give young people shelter, homes, life skills, better health and employment opportunities.
Talking about her journey, Kerinda said: “In my 20-30s I would eagerly sign up to an annual gym membership in the January and, like an unwanted ornament, it would sit there and gather dust for the rest of the year!
“I have always enjoyed the outdoors and fitness around outdoor activity and family life but the thought of actually doing anything that was a race or event I would steer well clear of. To find the time for training alone amidst the working schedule and kids schedules would be like a marathon in itself, so it was easier to keep it on the never ending ‘things to do list’!
“Having completed the Brighton Hove Triathlon (for beginners) last September and a couple of 5k fun runs with the kids, I decided I needed to put my fitness plans into action!
“Having had five children in the last 10 years, the body has taken a battering and in between having babies and pregnancies, I was always conscious of eating and exercising to get back in shape –to the pre-baby body.”
Jason added: “Like Kerinda, I was not known for my exercise regime before, but since 2014 I have taken part in a number of running challenges to raise money for good causes. This time it’s the MS Society and running as part of a wider team (#team purple) helping them to achieve such a huge target to raise funds for this awful disease.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive autoimmune disorder that wears away at the coverings that protect the nerve cells. Affecting about 2.5 million people around the world, MS gradually weakens bodily function by attacking the cells of the brain and spinal column.
“For some unknown reason, MS affects twice as many women as it does men, but heredity is the prime cause of vulnerability to this chronic disease and its unpredictable symptoms.
“I am really proud of what Kerinda has already achieved, but also her single-minded determination to push herself for the rest of the year to raise funds for those less fortunate than ourselves – it is very inspirational.”
Sponsorship:
To support Kerinda go to her JustGiving page: Click here.
To support Jason. Click here.
