May is certainly the month for charitable efforts. Robin Sainty, in his words, 'despite my age (57) and my arthritic ankle' will be running in the Grand East Anglia 10K run on 4th May to raise funds for The Benjamin Foundation. He admits that it won't be an easy feat but Robin has been training vigorously, preparing himself for the challenge ahead.

Also in May, Simon Linstead will be taking to the streets on Friday 9th with Chris Elliot, Fund Raising Manager of The Benjamin Foundation. The two company leaders will be spending the night in a Norwich city centre doorway with only a sleeping bag and cardboard for comfort.

Of course this in no way compares to the actual reality faced by Norfolk's homeless but it may raise, not only some cash for an extremely deserving charity, but also awareness of our most vulnerable citizens.

The Benjamin Foundation is a Norfolk Charity that helps people across the county deal with many of the challenges life throws at them. One of the many ways the charity helps people in Norfolk is by supporting young adults who would otherwise be homeless. Around 100 16-25 year olds live in their accommodation and with families that work with them right across the county. They are supported over a period of up to two years with their education, careers and life skills such as cooking and budgeting to help them become confident and independent people.

Homelessness is not an issue that many people consider in Norfolkand especially in the rural parts of our county. But through a variety of circumstances, often including a breakdown in family relationships, many young people can no longer live at home.

The Benjamin Foundation recently made a short film about this part of their work so you can hear from some of the people you can help to support. Simply follow the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idzmXHkmL9s

Set up in 1994 in memory of their son Benjamin, Richard and Vanessa Draper have been providing youth services ever since and now help around 2000 people every year.

For more information, please do visit their website www.benjaminfoundation.co.uk

To sponsor Robin's 10k challenge, please visit www.mycharitypage.com/robinsainty

To sponsor Simon's sleep out, please visit www.mycharitypage.com/simonnfp

Thankyou!