A local Salvation Army officer is the final stages of preparation for the London Marathon as he looks to support the charity’s new housing and food store community projects.

Richard Nunn has already raised over £2,000 through his online fundraiser, which will go towards two initiatives announced last year.

The includes the Pantry Store, a community store selling subsidised items to provide shopping with “dignity and respect” for struggling islanders, that has been open for around a month.

Pictured: The Pantry Store was recently opened to sell subsidised items to islanders.

Speaking to Express, Richard said that 305 households had signed up so far.

“That’s a real mix of families and individuals and there’s been some really positive feedback,” he said.

“People have talked about how it’s given them the opportunity to eat healthier, because they’ve been struggling to afford fresh produce and a range of food.”

The other initiative benefitting from the fundraising run is May Cottages – a housing project to support families facing homelessness.

Richard noted that this was also expected to open later this year, with recruitment efforts to find a manager currently underway.

The funds from the JustGiving page will be split equally between the two projects.

Richard said: “For May Cottages it will go into resourcing, maintenance or maybe some of the staffing costs – and then the money for the Pantry Store will probably buy food.”

Pictured: Salvation Army officer Richard Nunn at May Cottages – a housing project to support families facing homelessness.

He stressed that every penny raised would ultimately be helping islanders who were going through hard times, adding that “any support we can get is brilliant”.

Richard’s preparation has included the recent Hospice 2 Hospice Half Marathon – his first large organised race – though he has been racking up miles whenever he can.

“I’ve tried to be quite practical – a lot of my runs have been with the dog,” he explained, adding that he had been “building up gradually” and was now “tapering down” as the London Marathon grows closer.

But the Salvation Army officer acknowledged that the challenge was “daunting”.

“You look at the route, realise where it travels through and think it’s such a long way – but there’s a big crowd of people cheering you on and at mile 20 the Salvation Army has a big station,” said Richard.

“So I know if I can get to there I will get a big cheer and then it will be the last bit.”

DONATE…

You can support Richard by donating to his online fundraiser.