Volunteer raises over £1,000 at Santa Run for Get Connected

by Former Member

Monday 7th December 2015

Santa Run 2015

Volunteer Vanissa Tailor has so far raised more than £1,000 for Get Connected by taking part in the London Santa Run on Sunday.

She has been part of the Get Connected team since October 2010. Vanissa says: “I wanted to do more for Get Connected this year, I believe it’s such as worthwhile cause.”
Get Connected Santa Run Team 2015The Santa Run is a 5km course around Victoria Park in London that takes place each December with participants dressed in red Santa suits. The original fundraising target for the event was £100, however Vanissa wanted to end the year on a high and pressed friends and family to donate, raising ten times this amount.

“Everyone was so surprised that I was taking part as I’m not a runner at all – in my spare time I love to eat cake. I’m known as the dessert queen! I’m hoping my donation page will raise even more while it’s still open too.”
Initially, Vanissa came across the Get Connected website when she was trying to help a friend who was going through a hard time. “I read the volunteering page and it really appealed to me, so I thought I would do it. I had always wanted to volunteer and make a positive difference to other people’s lives but wasn’t sure how to go about it until I saw what Get Connected were offering. The shifts are flexible and that means I can volunteer while working full-time. I am very grateful for this.”

Vanissa is positive about her experience with Get Connected. She says: “For me volunteering at Get
Connected has been an extremely rewarding experience and I would encourage everyone to do it! Volunteering also makes me think differently about my own problems and challenges in life, helping to put things into perspective and making me feel grateful for everything I have and have achieved.”

Get Connected will be open throughout the holiday season for young people who need to contact the service. Vanissa says: “Some young people are not aware of the help and resources that are available to them and it’s always great to hear that we may have helped in some way however little. Above all, I think Get Connected provides a sense of hope for young people in an ever changing and complex world.”

Find out more about volunteering now.

This post was originally part of the Get Connected website. YouthNet and Get Connected merged to form The Mix in 2016.

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