Juliet Summerfield

Welcome to my marathon sponsor page!

This March I will be running as part of Team Shalva in the Jerusalem Marathon! This marathon has been dubbed one of the hardest in the world, so why on earth am I doing it, or as much as I can of it!? Especially when I've never really run before and I'd much rather be doing Pilates, playing Bridge or walking Charlie the dog!

The reason is Shalva.

I have been closely involved with Shalva for over 12 years and have seen how they provide transformative care to individuals with disabilities and their family members in the warmest and most loving environment. They have been doing this for over 30 years. From infancy through adulthood, this amazing organization provides leading- edge therapies, inclusive educational frameworks, social and recreational activities, employment training, independent living, and respite programs regardless of religion, ethnic background or financial capability!

At the sudden onset of the war in Israel, Shalva stepped up in supporting as many people as they could as fast as they could. They opened their doors as a National Crisis Response Centre - they welcomed over 200 families from the South providing both the physical safety and emotional support the individuals so desperately need. Shalva also homed 100 teenage girls and the staff, from a youth-at-risk programme on a kibbutz in the south that miraculously were not at their centre due to the holiday when the campus was completely destroyed. They are also providing day care programming for evacuated children. Shalva's emergency campaign along with their consistent care of 1000 children with disabilities is inspiring. 

Simply put, Shalva is an incredible place and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff are so loving and kind and go above and beyond to make the centre a home away from home.

I am doing my part to support this amazing organization and the Shalva National Crisis Response Centre by running, and I need your help.

I'll take care of the training, the achy feet and the finish line if you'll help me by donating to this worthy cause - anything you can give would help me reach my goal, and together we'll be supporting this truly special place. If your company has a matching gift programme, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for your help and generosity!