Square Mile Run stories
Read about the experiences of the Crisis Square Mile Runners
Mayling
University student Mayling will be running for Crisis on 14 June having volunteered at Crisis at Christmas for the past four years.
She hopes the event will help make more people aware of the work Crisis does.
"I've made lots of good friends, guests and volunteers alike through Crisis and this run is just another way I can participate in helping to end homelessness. It combines two of my passions: running and this truly life-changing charity.
"As soon as I got my exam timetable I checked to make sure they didn't clash with the run and I signed up there and then."
Wendy
Although Wendy has been a staunch Crisis supporter since her first Crisis at Christmas in 2004, the Square Mile Run is a relatively new addition to her charitable activities. She originally found out about Crisis through a friend who, due to illness, had asked Wendy to volunteer in her place at Christmas time.
Wendy said: "I knew that the discipline of running regularly would be good for me and that any money raised would support the fantastic work of Crisis in helping people to turn their lives around.
"I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the route of the run last year and I'm already looking forward to 14 June 2012."
Margaret and Therese
Macmillan nurse Therese first ran the Square Mile Run with her mother, Margaret, in 2006. The mother and daughter pair have run in the event ever since but this year's will be particularly special.
Remarkably Margaret- who has also taken part in sponsored sleep outs to raise money for local homeless people in Oxford - will turn 80 a week before the run.
Therese said: "This will be our 6th year - it is because of her that we have done it each year. Her husband - my father - died this year and she will be 80 the week before the race, so it will be a special race for her!"
Hannah
Hannah will be running for the first time this year after being inspired by volunteering for Crisis at Christmas in 2010 and wanting to do more for single homeless people.
She's finding her training hard but the sponsorship money is keeping her motivated.
Hannah said: "I want to challenge people in society who can walk past a homeless person without a second's thought. How quickly people can forget that we are all human beings with a story, we were all children once.
"I am looking forward to the atmosphere and general experience - I have never been part of a race. I don't care what I look like, I don't care what people think of me, I am going to do my best."
Graham
"I chose Crisis as my charity many years ago when I lived and worked in Soho. My fairly privileged existence was in stark contrast to the rough sleepers I encountered on a daily basis. I wanted to do something positive about it".
Graham is a business coach and lives in St. Margaret's, Middlesex. He is undertaking a triathlon in aid of Crisis and is near to reaching his £1,000 target.
The first leg of the triathlon will involve sea kayaking in Venice in the city's annual Vogalonga. This is a 30km paddling/rowing race through the city of Venice and the lagoon up to the island of Burano.
If is this weren't enough, he will then fly back to the UK for the London Nightrider event, a 100km circular route cycling around the Capital and will finish his epic journey with the Crisis Square Mile Run on 14 June.
Will
Will works in welfare rights and is really concerned about housing benefit cuts and how more people could end up homeless as a result.
So far his Square Mile Run efforts have raised more than £400 and although Will says training is yet to get to full intensity, he's been running for more buses and enjoying the gym!
He said: "I am taking part because I have volunteered for Crisis before (over Christmas) and know how much their work is needed.
"I'm planning to dress as 'Mr Ben' on the day (a character from an old children's programme). There will definitely be a bowler hat!"