Charity supremo sets herself Pompey Plod challenge to run FIVE marathons in FIVE days for 'phenomenal' community hub
POMPEY in the Community supremo Clare Martin is undertaking her biggest ever challenge to raise money for the John Jenkins Stadium - running five marathons in five days.
Clare will set off on her Pompey Plod on Monday, travelling to various parts of the city each day to drum up vital support to complete the fit out of the rooms at the sports and community hub in Moneyfield Avenue.
‘Some months back I was talking to someone about the stadium and how I've been working on it for so long and how it still needed to be completed inside. I said I was feeling like a complete failure and they said: "Well, you're only a failure if you stop trying." So, I thought, "Right, I'm going to keep trying” and the Pompey Plod was born from that,’ she said.
Named after the D-Day veteran and life-long Pompey fan, the first phase of the £8.5m John Jenkins facility has been completed with the stadium and all-weather pitch in use. But the classrooms and community spaces need fitting out to realise the charity’s dream of using it to host football sessions for children and families of all ages and abilities, disability sports initiatives, fitness classes, educational courses and other community projects including café sessions for people with dementia.
Clare will start off from the Express FM studios on Monday morning before crossing the finishing line on stage at the Shaping Portsmouth conference at The Guildhall on Friday. The Pompey Plod is also Clare’s nod to Portsmouth celebrating its centenary as a city, running more than 100 miles to mark the 100th birthday.
The Pompey in the Community CEO - who was awarded the MBE in 2022 - has run the Great South Run, marathons and an ultra-marathon of 35 miles when she was younger. But this is her biggest challenge and she is prepared to push through the pain barrier for such an incredible cause.
‘I've been really excited about the run until Monday night with the cold weather and the storm forecast and everybody saying, "Oh my god, you're nuts." It is a long way. It is a big challenge, but I think your body can do almost anything. I think it's the head you've got to convince.’
The stadium project has been hit by delays due to circumstances well beyond the charity’s control - first Covid and from there huge rises in construction costs. But Clare is determined to see it through. And helping her on her marathon journey will be her lucky Play Up Pompey pants.
‘When I do the Great South Run I'm always looking at the bottom in front of me and thinking, I'm going to beat that bottom, and that's how I keep going. So it was quite natural for my bottom to be a feature of the Pompey Plod and that’s why I have my sparkly blue Play Up Pompey pants.’ she added.
As well as cash donations, Clare is looking for local businesses to lend their support by donating their time, skills or materials. To support Clare and her Pompey Plod go to the Pompey in the Community fundraising page.
‘Anyone who can sponsor me and add a little funding into the pot would be amazing. The John Jenkins Stadium is going to be such a phenomenal place for the community when it’s finished so it would be great to have it done,’ she said.