RUNNERS are urged to sign-up for this year’s Southampton Marathon to raise funds for a charity for the city’s lonely and isolated.

Communicare hopes people who made a New Year’s resolution to get fit and take up running will participate in the event on April 24 to assist with its fundraising efforts.

The charity assists with requests including shopping, providing transport to medical appointments and even spending time with the lonely.

Manager Annie Clewlow said: “If your New Year’s Resolution is to take up running and you’d also like to give back to your community in 2022, please consider fundraising for us to support our services for vulnerable people living in Southampton.

“We’re a good neighbours organisation, helping people across the city and every year our amazing volunteers, who we call Communiteers, assist individuals and families with requests including befriending, transport to medical appointments and help with shopping.

"Anyone taking part in the Southampton ABP Marathon for us will be helping support our vital work in the city.

“We’d love more people to sign-up to run for us. If you’re already signed up to run independently with ABP but would like to nominate us as your chosen charity, please get in touch too. We will send you sponsorship forms and you will be able to join our group of runners who are training for the event, so you can share tips and boost each other’s morale.

"We’ll also give you a Communicare running t-shirt! By running for our charity in the full marathon, half marathon or the 10k event, you’ll be helping us beat loneliness and isolation in our city."

Anna Gordon, coordinator for Communicare said the marathon offers a "brilliant experience" for runners.

She continued: "With the choice of 10k, half marathon or full marathon distances available, signing up for one of these events not only offers a fantastic way to support Communicare’s work but also offers a fantastic personal goal, and, with running benefitting both our physical and mental health, it’s an excellent opportunity to invest in yourself along the way.

“I am always happy to talk about running, so get in touch if you want to ask questions or seek reassurance before you take the plunge and sign-up to Team Communicare.”

To apply to run for Commincare, call 023 8250 0050 or email events@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.