Kingsgate teenager Ted Temple is gearing up for his first marathon in a bid to raise funds for The Pavilion Youth and Community Café.
The 19-year-old will run 26.5miles on December 10 when he takes part in the ‘Lucky Dip’ Runbelievable event from Minnis Bay.
The six hour challenge event comprises of 6.58 mile loops with at least one loop to be completed for runners to earn a medal.
Ted, who is a member of Ramsgate’s Coastal Striders running group, says it is his first marathon length run but he feels prepared.
The former Laleham Gap student said: “I am running 26.5 miles to fundraise for The Pavilion youth and community café. The reason is that it is better to do something to save a place that does a lot for the community rather than watch it close down.
“I think it is better to help the community as we are in a time when people are struggling with finances so I decided to take a step forward and help out.”
The Pavilion is one of the organisations that is facing a cut in Kent County Council funding.
The community venue hosts four youth sessions each week alongside family clubs, baby groups, mornings attended by grandparents and a range of events, trips and professional skills to help with mental health, sexual health, drug and alcohol abuse and work with children in care.
But Kent County Council proposals to withdraw funding for commissioned youth services by next March will see the loss of half The Pavilion’s income. The other half, provided by the Colyer-Fergusson Trust, ended this month.
KCC is planning for a ‘Family Hub’ model of delivering multiple services for youngsters aged 0-19 – or up to 25 for children with special education needs or disabilities. This includes providing outreach activities, reducing the number of permanent buildings and using digital technologies. The aim is to reduce costs and carbon footprint and help balance the council’s budget.
Ted, who is an apprentice assistant lab technician at the University of Kent, is not a member of the Pavilion but says he wants to help save the services it offers.
He added: “A lot of people are quite desperate for (Pavilion services) and really like going there and I just think how upset they would be if it wasn’t open any more.”
Ted has been training by increasing his mileage each week.
He said: “I am really into my fitness. I don’t have a lot of time in my running group so have been training in my own time. When I run with Coastal Striders I will do five or 10 miles so I have done extra training. It was hard to get up to 15 miles and then I got up to 20 so I am getting there.”
Ted, who says he is interested in biosciences, will start his run in Minnis Bay at 8.30am and run the loops to Reculver towers and back.
He has a fundraising target of £1000 and has just passed the halfway mark.