Jill Kerr takes on 2022 London Marathon for charity

Our very own Jill Kerr, Roses and Events Manager for Blue Diamond is running the 2022 London Marathon for Phab Children's Charity.

Phab has existed since 1957 when a young disabled person, Terry Rolfe, attended a conference of national youth clubs asked for “opportunity for disabled people, not pity”. This comment led to the creation of Phab and 65 years of leading the way of embedding inclusion.

Whether in the national collection of over 120 local Phab Clubs, affiliated to the central charity Phab Ltd, where disabled and non-disabled people of all ages come together in social environments, the projects, that are inclusive residential experiences with physical, educational, and social activities in fully accessible venues run by Phab Ltd, or special events, such as the recent flying days where members of our Phab Clubs had the chance to fly a light aeroplane, Phab is about bringing everyone together to have fun in safe social locations. Another area of special interest is supporting young carers, aged between 11 and 18, by running breaks for them to have time away from caring.

One of Phab’s key funding streams comes from the amazing people who take part in the TCS London Marathon. Phab would like the thank the London Marathon for its ongoing support and each and every runner raising money to support Phab’s work around inclusion. Phab would like to introduce you to Jill Kerr who is running for us from your area.

Jill helps to launch and name new roses which are linked to specific charities. Thereafter Blue Diamond donates £1 from every charity rose sold to that charity and also highlights the work of the charities it supports to its customers and on its social media platforms.

A few years ago, a rose was named on behalf of Phab Kids call the Phab Gold rose, with £1 from every rose sold being donated to the charity. This rose is available to pre-order now as a bare root rose and will be in selected Blue Diamond Garden Centres from April 2023. Please visit www.fryersroses.co.uk to pre-order (bare root roses will then be sent out from November onwards).

Jill has now given herself the challenge of running this year’s TCS London Marathon for Phab and to date has raised almost £2000 (Blue Diamond kindly donated a large chunk of this).

Jill would like to thank everyone who has supported her and donated.

For more information on Phab visit their website www.phab.org.uk or contact Mik Scarlet – mik.scarlet@phab.org.uk or George Whittingham – George - george.whittingham@phab.org.uk