‘when I first started running, I couldn’t even run down the road.’
When Jo Fowler and Andy Wooding Jones lined up at the start of the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April, they weren't just taking on 26.2 miles - they were running with a deep sense of purpose shaped by their connection with CPAS.
Jo, who attends St Andrew’s Frimley Green and Mytchett, Surrey, first encountered CPAS through the CPAS Venture Woolie 3.
‘There have been people from my church serving on Woolie 3 as leaders for quite a number of years,’ she explains. ‘My husband had been a leader for five years… and they kept saying, “Jo, you should come along as a leader”.’ After some initial hesitation and much prayer, Jo said yes. ‘I thought… this might be out of my comfort zone, but I’m going to give it a go.’
Serving on a Venture in 2024 gave Jo a powerful insight into the impact CPAS makes in the lives of the children who go on these transformational holidays. ‘It’s exhausting, but so rewarding… Seeing the kids really engaging, building friendships and wanting to know more about Jesus - it’s definitely worth it.'
She saw young people grow in confidence and faith. ‘I led Bible studies, and it was really encouraging seeing some of the kids properly engaging and asking questions. There were a couple of children who gave their life to Christ, which was awesome.’
Andy is a Patronage Development Officer at CPAS, supporting almost 700 churches across the country as they appoint new vicars and encourage those in periods of vacancy.
Andy has had connections with CPAS since he was a teenager in a CPAS Church. He has been a Venture leader, used CPAS training materials and attended a You and Ministry weekend when preparing for ordination.
Taking on the challenge
That passion led Jo and Andy to take on a challenge - completing the London Marathon.
Both Andy and Jo were regular runners, Andy having reluctantly started in 2017 only to discover he enjoyed it! Jo has been running for 20 years and began marathon training in January.
‘It’s been really quite hard… long runs at weekends, cancelling social events.’ Her longest training run reached 20 miles - an incredible milestone for someone who remembers, ‘when I first started running, I couldn’t even run down the road.’
Choosing CPAS as Jo’s charity was an easy decision: ‘I wanted to fundraise for a charity that I had a personal connection to. I’ve served as a Ventures leader, my husband and several from my church have, and continue to, serve as leaders, and some of our young people have had a fabulous time at the Woolie 3 Venture! Falcons are about sharing Jesus with kids who wouldn’t have a chance to have a holiday at all... That also inspired me to choose CPAS.’
Andy shared similar reflections on his choice to run for CPAS: ‘As a young teenager, my own Christian journey began on a Christian residential holiday and I'm really committed to young people having fun, discovering community and encountering Jesus together. I was delighted to raise sponsorship for this amazing ministry and particularly to help provide bursaries for those who cannot afford the cost of these holidays.’
Making a lasting impact
Race day brought both joy and challenge.
Jo shares, ‘The marathon was such a great experience - so many people, so much noise, so many smiles and cheers… very uplifting and much needed at times.’
‘I loved the support of family, friends and the awesome crowds who were all so encouraging despite a very difficult marathon,’ shares Andy.
The first half went well, but the heat made the final miles tougher. Still, Jo persevered, finishing in 5 hours 12 minutes. Andy finished in 6 hours 39 minutes more than an hour slower than planned, but relieved to have ‘run the race!’.
Together, Jo and Andy have raised approximately £2,500 for CPAS - an incredible amount!
‘I hope this money will help fund a future Ventures or Falcons holiday… giving young people the chance to have fun, make new friends and learn more about Jesus,’ Jo shares.
Andy and Jo’s stories are a powerful encouragement. Through faithful service, willingness to step out of their comfort zone and determination to go the distance, they are helping more young people encounter Jesus.
As supporters of CPAS, we are invited into that same mission - praying, giving and enabling life-changing opportunities for children and young people across the UK.
Donate
If you’d like to be part of Jo and Andy’s marathon journey, there is still time to donate: