Bushara's Blog | Running Together: How the London Marathon and Equality Diversity & Inclusion Celebrate Unity Through Sport
Every April, the streets of London transform into a vibrant colour, culture, and energy as tens of thousands of runners take part in the iconic London Marathon. More than just a race, the event has become a living symbol of diversity and inclusion.
A celebration
Every time I watch the London Marathon, I feel a sense of celebration. I’m captivated by its vibrancy colour and the support and compassion on display.
On Sunday 27 April CSSC supported this amazing event through our partnership with the global charity, HPA (Health Poverty Action). Eight CSSC head office staff set out early morning to help support our 26 runners, who had claimed their places in the marathon from HPA. Having started this partnership last year, we were now much more prepared to help our runners. We choose our spot along the route, at Embankment, about mile 25. We set up CSSC banners in our section and staff members were dressed in the lovely CSSC purple t-shirts to be instantly recognisable as our runners came through to the sounds of cheers and whistles peeking through the already rapturous applause from the ten-deep crowd of spectators and well-wishers.
Throughout the day the atmosphere was amazing. Everyone was in such a terrific mood, providing support, having fun and celebrating runners of all ages, skills, abilities, mobilities and ethnicities. Everything the London Marathon is about. As an extra thank you for taking part CSSC hosted an after party for the runners, once the run had been completed. We provided masseuses, snacks, drinks and somewhere cool to relax and let the crowds die down. While many of our runners choose to get home quickly to start relaxing sooner, many also joined us for a laugh and chat after their incredible achievement.
Looking to accomplish your own sporting challenge?
Whether you’d like to take part in a marathon, swim the channel, row the Atlantic or simply pick up a racquet, CSSC might be able to help with the costs and expenses.
CSSC provides funding support through our Active Wellbeing and Community lottery Funds.
Community lottery funds will help cover the costs of taking part in sport for those members with a disability or facing financial hardship. The elite fund can also help cover some costs for those representing their nation or taking on a once-in-a-lifetime challenge.
The Active Wellbeing funds can help cover race entry fees, gain sporting qualifications and subsidise local, team or individual activities. Find out whether CSSC funding can help you to take part in sport and physical activity.
If you were at the London Marathon whether watching, competing or seeing on the TV, I would love to know how you felt and what you saw. Share your social media content with me at bushra.ali@cssc.co.uk