Kate Mabey runs half-marathon to save Home Start Islington's Christmas party for vulnerable

Published: 26th November, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

EVERY crisis throws up its heroes and there are few better than senior charity co-ordinator Kate Mabey, who ran a half-marathon so that children can enjoy a Christmas party.

Kate, 39, from Holloway, works for Home Start Islington, which trains volunteers to support vulnerable families, but is now expected to close after April in the current round of cuts. The Christmas party is attended by hundreds of parents and children as well as staff and volunteers. 

Fearing that the party was under threat, Kate, a niece of Islington children’s writer Nina Bawden, applied to run in the Royal Parks half-marathon. She finished the thirteen-and-a-half miles in two hours 47 minutes last week, raising £500 so the party can go ahead at St Stephen’s Church, in Canonbury, next month.

The charity, which helps up to 60 families, receives £50,000 annually to pay salaries and running costs. Half the money comes from Islington Council and the rest from local charity Cripplegate.

Kate said: “We’ve been informed unofficially by the council that when the money runs out next April there may be no more in the pot. 

“It’s very sad because we’ve been operating for 14 years and believe our volunteers do some really wonderful work and are a great support to struggling families.”