ELBA’s Jonathan Tait completes kitchen isolation marathon for Brandon Centre
On Sunday 26 April, ELBA Programme Manager Jonathan Tait took a novel approach to fundraising by walking a marathon in his kitchen.
Jonathan, who manages ELBA’s Connect team, has been in charge of the BoardBuilder’s programme for the past three years, running all nine of ELBA’s BoardMatch events. BoardMatch brings together charities looking to recruit trustees and employee volunteers who want to give their time to support an important cause.
Aware of the vital role that trustees play in ensuring the future of charities, Jonathan recently became a trustee of Brandon Centre. The Centre provides accessible mental health and sexual health services for under 25 year olds, creating safe spaces where young people can work towards leading healthy, happy lives.
Staff at Brandon Centre have been working extremely hard to ensure that they are able to continue to deliver services during the current period of social distancing. However, many of the young people that the Brandon Centre support are finding this time extremely difficult. Bereavement, domestic violence, substance abuse and social isolation are just some of the challenges that they are facing. Many are doing so without access to their usual support mechanisms.
Brandon Centre staff and supporters have been raising much needed funds by taking part in a series of events and activities linked to the national fundraising drive, the 2.6 Challenge. In Jonathan’s case, that meant walking 26.2 miles round his kitchen.
Brandon Centre CEO Julia Brown:
“Over this last month things have been uncertain for everyone, but especially young people. It is brilliant that so many trustees, staff and volunteers at Brandon Centre have been able to ensure services continue virtually and, where needed, face-to-face.
The support of Jonathan and others in our 2.6 challenge has been incredible. Thank you. We have had so many wonderful activities going on, including the Arsenal in the Community Girls project taking part with 26 star jumps, high knees, sit ups and one of our members of staff playing the piano for 2.6 hours, another running for 2.6 miles and 2.6 hours of garden Olympics, 26,000 steps and 2.6 hours of non-stop cricket in the garden! Really amazing community energy and spirit!”
Jonathan has raised essential funds through his challenge justgiving.com/fundraising/my-
If you want to find out more about becoming a trustee of one of our amazing community partners, sign up for our next BoardMatch event, which will be digital, at BoardMatch10.eventbrite.
