We’re sending heaps of good luck wishes to the #TeamHOx superstars who will be lacing up their trainers and taking part in the iconic Oxford Half Marathon this weekend to support Homeless Oxfordshire.
Running 13.1miles is no mean feat, and it means the world to us that nearly 60 incredible individuals have chosen to take on this challenge so that we can continue to offer safety, stability and support when it is needed most. As if all that running wasn’t impressive enough, these legends have already raised over £18,000 — that could help fund more than 180 trauma-informed counselling sessions for our residents.
Jack and Barney – Our celebrity runners
Keep an eye out at the start line — you might see some familiar faces proudly wearing Homeless Oxfordshire shirts! We’re absolutely thrilled to have actors and good friends Jack Ashton (best known as Reverend Tom Hereward in Call the Midwife) and Barney White (fans of Professor T will know him as DS Dan Winters) joining #TeamHOx for this year’s race. When asked why he’d chosen to get involved, Jack let us know that he “was inspired to go out and run again by the great selfless work that Homeless Oxfordshire do. In the lead-up to Christmas, homelessness somehow becomes louder. Any person who finds themselves in the position of having nowhere to live deserves their community to empathise and support them. We must do all we can to make sure people have at the very least a warm bed and safety at night.”
Barney shared “Anyone who lives in Oxford City or Oxfordshire knows this is a really big issue, and Homeless Oxfordshire plays an unshowy, quietly transformative role in this crisis; not only in providing accommodation but in enabling people to rebuild their lives.”
#TeamHOx Cheer Squad
Race day wouldn’t be complete without a fantastic cheer squad, and we’re super grateful to the fab volunteers who will be joining us in Summertown to give our runners heaps of encouragement and some of the loudest cheering they’ll hear on the course!
Snazzy new running tops
It’s going to be easy for our cheerleaders to spot the team as they’ll be wearing our brand-new running tops! The shirts are extra special as they feature artwork taken from a mural entitled ‘Never Give Up’ that was created by Homeless Oxfordshire’s residents and staff alongside local artist Lisa Made It. Find out more about the story behind the artwork here.
Not only are Carli and Tim from Homeless Oxfordshire doing a great job modelling the tops — they’re also both running on Sunday.
Go #TeamHox
Good luck #TeamHOx! If the going gets tough on Sunday, we hope you can channel the Never Give Up message that’s on your running top to help power you on through! We can’t wait to see you in action and cheer you on – you’re going to smash it!
