24/07/2026
Throughout July, I have continued to focus on activities that bring people together to keep active!
Our Community Insight Tracker shows that being active helps to reduce isolation and improves mental wellbeing. This is why I have chosen to use my time to support local groups that encourage movement, celebrate achievements and create opportunities of connection across our community👏🏻🫂
On Saturday 18th July, I volunteered and took part in the Phoenix Running West Sussex 24-hour running event! Phoenix Running West Sussex is managed by Vernon, Joanne and their children, who are the most genuine and kind people that go above and beyond for their love for running events. They rely on volunteers to support their events, which is usually a 7-hour timeframe where you can personally choose what to run - from a 5k up to an ultramarathon! Not to mention, the medals are INCREDIBLE🏅👏🏻
For this specific event, they hosted a 24-hour running festival for the first time. They brought together members from our community including Simon Head, a runner with a gourmet burger truck who cooked amazing food for everyone, an amazing singer Terry Sumner who kindly sang between his laps, and overall an amazing community of people who come together to support each other🫂 I ran 32 Miles, 51.5km over the space of 13hours (16:00-05:00) - an ULTRAMARATHON!! - and I honestly couldn’t have done it without the support from everyone around me. I’ve never felt so proud to be part of a community - Seeing everyone pushing themselves to their max, but still cheering on and supporting everyone around them👏🏻🧡
Moving forward to Sunday 19th July, I donated my time to support the finishing aid station for the first ever Pound Hill Pounders running event, raising essential funds for Menshare Listening Group Crawley. This was a 10km and 10mile running event, ran by Paul Smith and Ali Fuller, from our free local running group (where I also volunteer as a Run Leader!) I provided fresh watermelon, cups of water, hydration drinks, sweet treats and salty pretzels as a reward for the finish line. This went down a treat with the runners, with lots of grateful and kind feedback! In total, they raised an amazing £350 to Menshare Listening Group👏🏻❤️
Events like these are so important to help reduce loneliness and isolation, and bring together our community to achieve amazing things. I NEVER thought I would run an ULTRA MARATHON, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the people that go above and beyond in our community for others🫶🏻
– Deanna, Asda community champion