Andrea Smith, Equity Partner at Franklins Solicitors, laced up her running shoes for a cause close to her heart and took on the iconic London Marathon in support of MacIntyre, a national charity providing vital education, care and support for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
Her fundraising initiative – Miles for MacIntyre – has captured the imagination of the local business community and beyond. With an ambitious initial target of £7,500, Andrea has already raised over £9,500, and the total continues to grow.
The lion’s share of the funds raised to date from the campaign has been through businesses sponsoring a mile of Andrea’s marathon, for £250 per mile. The response has been incredible, with the following businesses proudly stepping forward to support the cause: Franklins Solicitors LLP, Clarity Legal Services, All Things Business, Mercer & Hole, Probike, HLM Investment Group, PDS Auctioneers and Valuers, Michael Anthony Estate Agents, BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency, Display Creatives, Howden, Digital Origin, CSR Digital, Form Five, 1st Choice Properties, Bastian Lloyd Morris Solicitors, Greener Media, Minerva, Prontaprint, Oakgate Joinery, Stable Fabrication, Pasuta Consulting Ltd, One Four Six Media, Mango Interiors Group Ltd and Design Principle Studio Architecture.
Beyond corporate sponsorship, Andrea brought people together through a fundraising quiz and networking night, which saw 12 teams compete in a lively, running-themed quiz hosted by Chris Gregg of Horizon Radio. A hugely successful raffle on the night raised over £1,000, thanks to generous prize donations from local businesses and supporters.
Closer to home, Andrea also set up an ongoing tuck shop in the Milton Keynes office of Franklins, proving that even small treats can help make a big difference when it comes to fundraising.
Andrea’s love of running is long-standing – having already completed the London, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo and New York Marathons. Her long-term goal is to conquer the remaining World Marathon Majors: Boston and Sydney.
Reflecting on the campaign’s success, Andrea said: “I’m blown away by all the support this campaign has received from clients, colleagues, friends and family and would like to say a massive ‘thank you’. When I started the campaign, I had an ambitious target of £7,500, so to have smashed this is a real achievement. The work of the MacIntyre charity makes a huge difference to the lives of the people that it supports and every penny raised really does have an impact.”
The Miles for MacIntyre campaign is a powerful example of how one person’s determination – combined with community spirit – can go the distance.
To follow Andrea’s journey or donate, visit the website here
