Marathon runner proud to run in support of The Salvation Army

A woman from Braintree is to take on the London Marathon next month in honour of her sister who took her own life last year.

Sophie Bolt will be part of Team Sally Army when she runs the 26.2 mile course on 27 April, raising money for The Salvation Army in Braintree, near to her home, and for the church and charity’s work supporting victims of modern slavery.

The Salvation Army’s Survivor Support Fund provides crucial assistance to survivors of modern slavery as they rebuild their lives and move towards independent living over and above the specialist support The Salvation Army delivers through a Government contract. Survivors are helped with anything from training to secure work, therapeutic activities, such as sport, to aiding wellbeing and practical items for survivors with young children or those moving into their own homes. 

Sophie lost her sister Laura after a long battle with mental health challenges, drug and alcohol addiction. Despite Laura’s problems, Sophie said she spent much of her time going to churches, including The Salvation Army in Harlow, and helping others.

Sophie said: “I was looking for a local charity, discovered The Salvation Army in Braintree so got in touch and asked if I could help. I held a jumble sale for them last month and I thought the fact they could keep the money directly was brilliant. Laura used to help at her local Salvation Army and they helped her a lot so it seemed like the perfect fit. 

“I wanted to raise money for a charity she believed in and loved. The Salvation Army don’t judge and will help anyone.”

Although it was difficult for Sophie to have a normal relationship with Laura, the sisters were in contact shortly before Laura’s death and would write to each other regularly.

Sophie said: “I hoped she would get to know the family but when she would go back to drinking, she would push us away. I couldn’t keep putting the rest of my family through this. In the last few months, we were in touch although only by letter.

“I’d never lost anyone to suicide and, after it happens, you deal with a lot of feelings of anger, confusion, guilt as well as thinking what might have been.”

With race day fast approaching, Sophie said she knows Laura will be cheering her on.

She added: “Training is hard but I’m getting more and more used to it as the miles creep up. I know I will be making her proud by helping this amazing charity with the work they do and by taking her around London one more time. I’ve got Laura to keep me going.”

You can sponsor Sophie by clicking here

You can sponsor Team Sally Army by clicking here