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Kim Chamberlain, Director of Novum Law, is nearing the end of an epic 1,084-mile virtual run across the length of Great Britain to help support brain injury survivors supported by The Silverlining Brain Injury Charity.
The charity provides opportunities for people with brain injuries and their families to participate in activities, challenges, community projects and events to improve their social network, independence and quality of life.
In her latest blog, Kim describes the highs and lows of taking on a gruelling running challenge during the winter months and in a national lockdown.
Kim says:
“I started my journey across the length of Britain at the beginning of October, as a full-time Director with a busy home life filled with children and dogs! I did secretly wonder if I had bitten off a little more than I could chew.
In what seems to have been in a blink of an eye, I can’t quite believe that I am heading toward the finish line. It has been the most rewarding challenges I have completed and an absolute privilege to support The Silverlining Brain Injury Charity, to help raise funds for all of the work they do to support their members and their families. A great challenge for over the winter months and national lockdown, keeping me focused and motivated and out in the fresh air on most days come what may!
I am so grateful for the runners that have joined me on this epic journey. We have run in all types of weather, from beautiful sun rises on frosty mornings (my favourite) to 40 miles per hour headwinds and hailstones, torrential rain, freezing temperatures and through more mud than I have ever seen and on the whole, have remained standing!
We have explored the hidden beauty of the Wiltshire countryside finding new routes through forests, trails, off the beaten tracks, some that are familiar to us but also some that are new!
A chance to connect and share the challenges of the last 12 months and to celebrate our achievements however big or small. It highlights the importance of communication, friendship and supporting others, particularly in these extraordinary times, appreciating those simple things previously taken for granted.
I have been immensely grateful for the direct support I have received from the Silverlining members who have joined me with my runs in person at a safe, social distance, and via Zoom and will hopefully help me cross the finish line. I should have expected no less from them as there is always bucket loads of positivity and endless enthusiasm! Giving up would never have been an option.”
Ellie Seward from The Silverlining Brain Injury Charity adds:
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to Kim for this incredible achievement – no mean feat during the winter months and with the added challenge of being in a national lockdown. The Covid pandemic has been particularly hard on brain injury survivors and their families.
A survey of our members revealed that more than half are feeling increased anxiety, isolation and loneliness. So the support our charity provides is more important than ever. Through fundraising events, like Kim’s epic running challenge, donations from the public and all the help from our wonderful volunteers, we’ve been able to fund extra support during these unprecedented times.
Our additional services to brain injury survivors include a completely free, five days per week calendar full of online supportive activities covering social, therapeutic and educational needs. We’ve also introduced a telephone service called ‘Sunshine Calls’, providing a friendly weekly call to members to bring some sunshine to their day. We couldn’t do this without people like Kim and all our volunteers and supporters.”
If you would like to support Kim’s challenge and donate (no matter how small) to The Silverlining Brain Injury Charity, it’s not too late. please visit Kim’s donation page.
You can visit www.thesilverlining.org.uk to find out more information about how the charity helps rebuild lives after brain injury.
