Thank You, Andy
On 26 April 2026, Andy Pole lined up at the start of the London Marathon alongside tens of thousands of runners. Sixteen miles in, with the heat building and his pace slowing, he kept going — thinking of the carers he had met during his counselling placement with us at Crossroads Care Kent.
He crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 59 minutes and 44 seconds. Just inside his 4-hour target. An extraordinary achievement.
In his own words: "The crowds, seeing family, and thinking of the clients I worked with at Crossroads all kept me going. I know I couldn't have done any more, so I'm really pleased."
We are really pleased too, Andy. Incredibly so.
More than a donation
Andy's JustGiving page is still open and every contribution still counts — you can donate at justgiving.com/page/andy-pole-1. He has already raised over £575 for Crossroads Care Kent, a fantastic sum that will directly support unpaid carers across Kent. But his contribution goes well beyond the total on his fundraising page.
When someone takes on a challenge like the London Marathon for a charity, something powerful happens. Friends, family and colleagues stop to ask: why that charity? And Andy had a genuine answer — one rooted in real experience of what our carers go through every day. That kind of conversation creates awareness that no campaign or advert can replicate.
Fundraising through events also inspires others to act. Whether it's a colleague thinking about entering a ballot, a friend considering a local 5k, or someone in the community who has never thought about volunteering or donating — seeing someone they know do something like this plants a seed.
You don't have to run a marathon
We know a marathon isn't for everyone. A local 5k, a 10k, a charity walk or a fun run are all brilliant ways to fundraise while challenging yourself and bringing people together. And if sport isn't your thing, there are plenty of other avenues too.
There are so many ways to raise money and awareness for the people we support — and they don't all involve running shoes.
If you're a member of a bowls club, golf society, choir, theatre group, or any kind of community club or association, you could nominate Crossroads Care Kent as your charity of the year, or simply choose us as the beneficiary of your next fundraising event or collection. A quiz night, a bake sale, a summer fete, a sponsored walk — every event, however small, raises vital funds and keeps us visible in the communities we serve.
Because that's exactly where we want to be — in the heart of our community, supported by the people who are part of it.
Could you fundraise for us?
Whatever you have in mind — a running event, a community fundraiser, or simply a conversation with your club or group about supporting a local charity — we would love to hear from you. We can support you with fundraising materials, share your story, and cheer you on every step of the way.
Get in touch with us at enquiries@crossroadskent.org or call us on 03450 956 701 to find out more.
Thank you, Andy. You've shown what's possible — and what it means to give something back to the community around you.