Selina Orrell is running for more than personal bests
Selina Orrell, 38, Head of Fundraising for the learning disability charity Hft, will be joining thousands of others taking part in the challenge around the streets of the city next month.
A Bristol mum is calling on the public to lace up and hit the streets for a good cause in next month’s Great Bristol 10k.
Selina Orrell, 38, from east Bristol, is head of fundraising at Hft, a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities. She will be among thousands taking part in the city’s 10k race on Sunday, May 11, in aid of the organisation.
It will be the second time Selina has taken on the Bristol 10k, having raised hundreds of pounds for Hft during her previous outing three years ago.
Selina said she developed a love of running in childhood. “I have run ever since I can remember,” she said.
“As a youngster I used to love athletics and swimming and used to regularly run in the woods where I lived with my parents in Kent. It’s just always been part of my life.”
Although she briefly stopped running while at university, she returned to it once her studies were complete. Since then, she has completed the Brighton Marathon and several half marathons, including the London Landmarks and London Parks events.
“I’d like to do another full marathon one day,” she said. “But between having two children and working full time, it’s hard finding the time in the day.”
Selina is aiming to complete the 10k route in under an hour and has been preparing by training in parks around her home, including the Greenbank Cycle Path and St George’s Park.
“I just love running,” she said. “It’s something I do not only to keep physically fit but maintain my mental wellbeing. Any piece of space I can find in my week, I will be out of the door on a run.
“My favourite place for a run is along the river at Crews Hole. If I can complete the Bristol 10k in under an hour I will be super proud of myself.”
Having started her career in the adult care sector as a support worker, Selina is now encouraging others to join her on the day. Hft still has charity places available for those who missed out on general sale entries, which have now sold out.
Each charity place costs £10, with participants encouraged to raise £150 in sponsorship.
“The Bristol 10k is a super run around a great route with a real buzz around the event,” she said. “But it would be fabulous to have some running buddies to enjoy the journey with me and raise money for Hft.
“General spaces have now sold out so I am urging anyone who has missed out and is keen to do the Bristol 10k to sign up for one of our charity places. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday morning while raising money for an incredible cause at the same time.”
The route winds through some of the city’s most iconic locations, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge.
“Every day I see the incredible work Hft does to support learning disabled adults to live their best lives possible,” Selina added. “And every penny raised will continue to allow us to continue to do that work and make a real difference to the people we support.”
Anyone interested in joining the event on behalf of Hft can find out more and sign up via the Hft website.