A massive well done to Ben Cooper, who completed the London Marathon and raised an amazing £1,934 for our charity!
Taking on one of the world’s most iconic races, Ben crossed the finish line in 3 hours and 40 minutes, a brilliant time after months of hard work and training. None of it would have been possible without the generous support of colleagues, friends, family, and everyone in the wider community who got behind him.
For Ben, the motivation was deeply personal. Speaking ahead of race day, he said:
“I see the work that YMCA Fairthorne Group does first hand. I see the effort everybody puts in to supporting young people, people who may not have had the easiest start in life. I wanted to be able to give something back through something I enjoy doing, so it was a no brainer to me.”
The money Ben raised will go towards YMCA Fairthorne Group’s supported housing and wrap-around care services, which currently support around 308 young people across Southampton, Basingstoke, and the Isle of Wight, including our Young & Expecting service for young mothers.
Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, too many young people face unstable housing, sofa surfing, unsafe living arrangements, or nights on the street. Behind every statistic is a real person with a story. Without safe and stable housing, young people often struggle to finish education, find work, or look after their wellbeing.
Our supported housing isn’t just about providing a roof. It’s about offering a home and a fresh start. Young people receive one-to-one support from a named support worker, help with practical things like benefits, budgeting and tenancy, and tailored programmes to build the independence and confidence they need to thrive. There’s also support for physical and mental health, and social opportunities to help young people connect with their community, education, and work.
As one young person put it:
“When I walked into my YMCA flat, it was the first time I felt safe in years.”
A huge thank you to Ben for taking on such a challenge, and to every single person who donated or cheered him on along the way.
Want to add to the total? Donations are still open: https://www.justgiving.com/page/benjamin-cooper-1989
