After two years of setbacks due to the pandemic, a determined runner has raised much-needed funds for a Dorset charity by completing a marathon – in Berlin.

On 25 September, Eliza Brodie finally managed to run the Berlin Marathon in aid of the Dorset branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. She was among 45,000 runners who took the streets of the German capital, on a route that took in the old East and West Berlin with the finish line being the spectacular Brandenburg Gate.

The run was Eliza’s 34th marathon, with her support team in Germany headed up by her godmother, Sally Cadec, who is vice-president of the Dorset branch of SSAFA.
Earlier in the year, Eliza also ran the North Dorset Villages Marathon and the Ham to Lyme 50km.

“I like running and I like a challenge,” she said.
“I always have a feel-good factor at the end of a run as well.
“I’m dyspraxic, which means my co-ordination isn’t brilliant and I was never very good at team sport at school, so the fact that I do running now is great. I’m part of a local running club, Running Forever, in Taunton so I do most of my runs with them. I’ve met some really lovely friends through this group as well.”
And she said the charity was one close to her heart. “Through my godmother I’ve learnt how much good work this charity does for serving and ex-service personnel and their families,” she added.
“I am lucky enough to be fit and able to run. Many service personnel have been injured in the line of duty and can no longer do so. I am running to support them.”
So far, Eliza’s efforts have raised more than £1,000 for the charity, and people can still donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eliza-brodie4.

Meanwhile, SSAFA Dorset is urgently in need of a fundraising co-ordinator to help planning and running charitable events. To volunteer, you do not need to have any military connection or knowledge, just community spirit and a desire to help people.
For more details, visit ssafa.org.uk/volunteering.