The British Red Cross

Run Gem Run!

Gemma Lace-Perrin

Gemma Lace-Perrin

My Story

Hello my lovely fellow humans.

You may not know, but I've been an Emergency Responder with the British Red Cross for nearly 5 years. Given the recent horrific tragedy at the synagogue in Manchester, and the many ongoing global disasters and conflicts, if felt right to try support this wonderful, kindness fuelled charity, who are involved in supporting people in need. 

Literally every time I've been deployed with the British Red Cross, I've heard 'Oh I didn't know the Red Cross did this kind of stuff!'. As an emergency responder volunteer, I've been called out to support people during local floods, house fires, acts of terror and power cuts, and have been involved in wellbeing checks and provision drops for those who have been displaced from their home, or who are fleeing violence or who facing social isolation to due age or disability. Everyone has seen the Red Cross out in war zones on TV, or where there is famine or a natural disaster right? But you probably aren't aware of all the wonderful work they do in YOUR neighbourhood. When things go wrong, the British Red Cross are likely to be there, ready to offer kindness and practical support to those in need. Curious? You can find out more here about what they are doing in the UK https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help as well as around the world https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/international

Anyway after saying I was NEVER going to do a marathon again (you know, given I bloody hate running and what not) I had a moment of both inspiration and madness when watching the London Marathon last year. I saw so many 'normal' people like you and me, committing so much of their time to training and fundraising, that I thought 'Gah, if the Universe wants me to do it, I'll let it decide'. So I entered the ballot (0.6% chance I believe, at the time I entered) and promptly forgot about it. Flash forward a few months and the Universe decided. I'm running the London Marathon in 2026. Arg. Yay! And Arg again!

It felt fitting to set up this page today, after just completing week 1 (of 29....!) of my Marathon training plan, and after spending the day supporting the Manchester Synagogue Terror Attack as a British Red Cross Volunteer. Despite a long shift I threw myself on the treadmill to tick off my weekly 'fast run'..... It is with very tired legs I'm writing this!

So here is the ask (pretty please) my lovely people. Please please please donate. Anything you can donate will be very much appreciated by my comrades at the British Red Cross. Just the cost of a brew? Literally ANYTHING! Every donate also kicks me out of the 'oh my god what have I done?!' mindset, and into the 'just look at what a wonderful opportunity you have to do some good!' headspace. No matter how small the donation, it really does wonders to remind me of the support I have, of the kindness in my network, and how really, all things aside, of the magic we can make happen when we all come together in kindness. Thank you so much for reading my exhausted but passionate ramblings!

Spread the love, not the hate.

Gem x 

The British Red Cross

Raising for:

The British Red Cross
150%

Funded

  • Target
    £1,000
  • Raised so far
    £1,503
  • Number of donors
    59

My Story

Hello my lovely fellow humans.

You may not know, but I've been an Emergency Responder with the British Red Cross for nearly 5 years. Given the recent horrific tragedy at the synagogue in Manchester, and the many ongoing global disasters and conflicts, if felt right to try support this wonderful, kindness fuelled charity, who are involved in supporting people in need. 

Literally every time I've been deployed with the British Red Cross, I've heard 'Oh I didn't know the Red Cross did this kind of stuff!'. As an emergency responder volunteer, I've been called out to support people during local floods, house fires, acts of terror and power cuts, and have been involved in wellbeing checks and provision drops for those who have been displaced from their home, or who are fleeing violence or who facing social isolation to due age or disability. Everyone has seen the Red Cross out in war zones on TV, or where there is famine or a natural disaster right? But you probably aren't aware of all the wonderful work they do in YOUR neighbourhood. When things go wrong, the British Red Cross are likely to be there, ready to offer kindness and practical support to those in need. Curious? You can find out more here about what they are doing in the UK https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help as well as around the world https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/international

Anyway after saying I was NEVER going to do a marathon again (you know, given I bloody hate running and what not) I had a moment of both inspiration and madness when watching the London Marathon last year. I saw so many 'normal' people like you and me, committing so much of their time to training and fundraising, that I thought 'Gah, if the Universe wants me to do it, I'll let it decide'. So I entered the ballot (0.6% chance I believe, at the time I entered) and promptly forgot about it. Flash forward a few months and the Universe decided. I'm running the London Marathon in 2026. Arg. Yay! And Arg again!

It felt fitting to set up this page today, after just completing week 1 (of 29....!) of my Marathon training plan, and after spending the day supporting the Manchester Synagogue Terror Attack as a British Red Cross Volunteer. Despite a long shift I threw myself on the treadmill to tick off my weekly 'fast run'..... It is with very tired legs I'm writing this!

So here is the ask (pretty please) my lovely people. Please please please donate. Anything you can donate will be very much appreciated by my comrades at the British Red Cross. Just the cost of a brew? Literally ANYTHING! Every donate also kicks me out of the 'oh my god what have I done?!' mindset, and into the 'just look at what a wonderful opportunity you have to do some good!' headspace. No matter how small the donation, it really does wonders to remind me of the support I have, of the kindness in my network, and how really, all things aside, of the magic we can make happen when we all come together in kindness. Thank you so much for reading my exhausted but passionate ramblings!

Spread the love, not the hate.

Gem x