We’ll be cheering on 3 amazing people in the Cardiff Half Marathon this Sunday! ACE’s Charlotte McCarthy and Sam Froud-Powell and Cardiff University’s Ashley Walsh will be running 13.1 miles on Sunday 27th March to raise money for ACE. We’re grateful to them for putting in the hard graft, and grateful to everyone who donates to this fundraiser to support our vital work. 

You can donate online here: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/Cardiff-Half-ACE/

ACE receives most of its funding from project-specific grants, so it’s always a struggle to fund the core costs of our organisation, the day-to-day stuff that makes everything else possible. The money we raise from donations makes a huge difference, allowing us to put resources where they are most needed at the right time. Sam told us why he’s running to raise money for ACE:

“ACE is a fantastic community organisation that makes a massive difference in Ely and Caerau. We do a whole range of things supporting people with mental health issues and people struggling with money. It’s all about supporting people to take action themselves, so we’ve got lots of volunteers and other community members really making a difference. It would be amazing if you could support our fundraiser. Thank you very much!” – Sam Froud-Powell, ACE Community Support Co-ordinator

People tell us every week about the impact that ACE has had on their lives. Here are just a few:

“ACE has helped me more than what my doctor has… it’s helped me with my depression, my anxiety, my confidence – I don’t feel vulnerable anymore. It’s helped me just get out more and meet new people.” – a community member

“It gives you pleasure to do something for someone else. It’s kind of brought a new lease of life for me, you know, a little bit of hope there that life’s not over. – Julie, volunteer 

“I didn’t know where to start or what I could do and nobody passed judgement, everybody was welcoming.” – Sheree, volunteer

Donations to this fundraiser will help us keep the buildings open, the lights on, and a friendly welcome ready for everyone who comes through our doors. ACE’s commitment to our community, day in, day out, is the cornerstone of our work. This insight from one our workshops explains why our presence is so important:

“And it’s safe here, as well. It’s still safe here. No matter what’s going on in the outside world, here it’s safe, you know? And yeah it is one big family. Everyone has been through, or is going through, what you’re going through, or have got no money, or are on benefits, mental health. Everyone’s in the same boat. And you don’t get that anywhere else.”  

Please consider making a donation to our Cardiff Half Marathon Fundraiser and share it far and wide.

Thank you for your support!