Runner on track for London Marathon says thank you to Salvation Army

A runner is taking on the London Marathon to give back to The Salvation Army after she found comfort in a parent and toddler group while struggling with loneliness after the birth of her son. 

Amelia Crowther, from West Yorkshire, was a regular attendee at the Mirfield Salvation Army Stay and Play group when her second son was born over a decade ago. 

The love and support she received there during the first few months of his life stuck with her, and over a decade later she is now taking on the iconic 26.2 mile run as part of #TeamSallyArmy to raise funds for the vital work the church and charity does in communities around the UK. 

Amelia, who has three children aged 11, 10 and eight, said: “When my second son was born, there was a 16-month age gap between him and my firstborn, we’d just moved to a new area and it was a time where I was getting very little sleep. I was a little broken, lonely, and overwhelmed. I felt mentally and physically unable to cope with exercise, but I forced myself to socialise and join local groups. One of these was The Salvation Army's Stay and Play group on a Thursday morning. 

“It was a place where I could sit, have a chat, a cup of tea and a biscuit. I felt it was a safe space where I could bring my newborn and let the toddler play. It was a really friendly group that offered me support and stability when I really needed it.

“Before I had children I’d worked in a really busy job in recruitment, I was travelling a lot, dealing with clients and then before I knew it, I was at home with two children and on my own a lot, craving a bit of a routine and familiarity and The Salvation Army offered that. It was a hard time, but I got through it with the help of positive people I met there, and the routine it gave me. It made me feel less lonely.” 

Amelia, 42, got back into running during the covid pandemic and ran her first marathon in York last year. With it being a dream to get the London Marathon under her belt, she managed to secure a place running for The Salvation Army in January after somebody else pulled out. 

Amelia, who is following a training plan and running four times a week, continued: “I love running. I run for my mental health and find that it really helps me. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't run. At the time I was visiting The Salvation Army, I would not have been in a position to take on this challenge, so it’s nice that all these years later I am able to say ‘thank you for my Thursdays’ and give back as part of #TeamSallyArmy. 

“I’ve watched the marathon on the television for so many years so I’m really excited. I have a friend who is running for men’s mental health charity Andy’s Man Club, so we're going down together, we'll do all the build-up and then meet up at the finish line. I’m really looking forward to it.” 

You can sponsor Amelia by here