Macclesfield veteran to run for charity which helped him during tough time
By Alex Greensmith
31st Jul 2024 | Local News
A Macclesfield security guard and ex-servicemen is to raise vital funds for charity.
Toby Harris is to run the Macclesfield Half Marathon on 27 October for The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
The Maxonian, who now lives in Congleton, works at The Grosvenor Centre as a security guard.
He is running for The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
"They supported me during my time of service," said Toby.
"Doing the role I was doing, I would see things that aren't particularly what you want to see.
"So after four years, it began to take a bit of toll on me. So I began to seek help through the Benevolent Fund.
"The service I received from them was amazing."
Toby served in the Military Police as RAF Brize Norton from May 2018 to March 2023.
Before that, he worked as a fire marshall in Macclesfield.
He has worked as a security guard for The Grosvenor Centre since March 2024.
He got expert free counselling from the charity which he is running for, and every step took and penny raised is his way of giving back.
"The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is so easy and accessible," he explained.
"They replied straight away to when I first reached out, and they were so understanding and flexible.
"It really did help me. It was nice to speak to someone completely unbiased and new.
"The counsellor I saw was amazing. It was the same counsellor every time, and it was so relaxed.
"Counselling wasn't what I expected it was going to be in a good way.
"It felt more like I was chatting to a friend for an hour, and then I would feel better afterwards.
"I would like to say the biggest thank you to them. I was in a really dark place and they kept my head above water for a good few months."
Toby settled on the run as he has always been a keen runner. He previously ran the Macclesfield Half-Marathon in 2017 and 2018, but this is the first time he is doing it for charity.
Ahead of this year's race, he's been training on the Macclesfield Canal, in a similar length to the 13.1 mile race he will take on in three months time.
"I was born in London but moved up to Macclesfield in 2004 when I was 7," told Toby.
"I went to Ivy Bank Primary School and then what is now Macclesfield Academy.
"I moved from Macclesfield to Congleton after I finished with the RAF."
The Grosvenor Centre's management has already donated to Toby's fundraiser. And they have promised him time off for his run.
So far, he has raised £225, and wants to raise £500.
14 people has donated so far - and you can do so too on this link.
"I wanted to do it to give back to the Fund, but also as a ways to get back into running.
"A huge thank you to those who donate. The Fund gives amazing support to veterans and service people. I have had countless stories from people I have served with about the same quality of support they have received.
"Any money received will be greatly appreciated. What they do with the money goes a long way.
"Any money or publicity I can raise is my thank you to them, for what they did for me."
Once again, you can donate to Toby's fundraiser on this link.
Holly Youd, Community Fundraiser (Central/North England and Wales) at the RAF Benevolent Fund said: "We'd like to say our sincerest thanks to Toby for choosing to support the Fund with his Macclesfield Half Marathon fundraiser."
"It is thanks to our supporters that we can continue our vital work providing practical, financial, and emotional support to serving and ex-serving members of the RAF Family, and their families."
Macclesfield: You can find more about the charity on this link.
And if you want to take part in the Macclesfield run this October, please click HERE.
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