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The editor of Enfield's local newspaper is running a half marathon in order to raise money to fight à major social problem afflicting the borough.

James Cracknell is editor of Enfield Dispatch. It's thanks to his efforts that we're now so much better informed about goings-on, good, bad and occasionally indifferent, in our borough. In his previous role as editor of Waltham Forest Echo, he gathered the support needed for its publisher, the community interest company Social Spider, to spread its web across to our side of the Lea Valley.

Now James is using his energy to help more people, and is again looking for support from us. His news gathering work has made him increasingly aware of a major social evil affecting our borough: homelessness. So he has been pounding Enfield's streets, footpaths and towpaths in preparation for entering a sponsored half marathon, the Great North Run, early next month. The money he raises will go to the wonderful charity Shelter, a tireless advocate of housing justice and provider of support and advice to those unfortunate enough to have no stable provision of a roof over their head.

James Cracknell is raising money for Shelter by taking part in the Great North Run

In my day job as a journalist in Enfield I have met and spoken to many homeless families in the last few years. They are often stuck living in hotels for weeks and months on end because the local council can't find anywhere else to house them. Many end up in this situation because they have received eviction notices and then discovered they can no longer afford to rent privately because prices have skyrocketed. Some have even fled domestic violence. Meeting these families has moved me deeply and, aside from telling their stories and reporting on the housing crisis, I want to do something else to help them.

Shelter campaigns for housing justice. It gives advice, information, and advocacy to people and campaigns, and lobbies government and local authorities for new laws and policies around homelessness.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate, saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Sponsor James on JustGiving

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PGC Webmaster posted a reply
03 Sep 2025 18:44


There's still time to sponsor Enfield Dispatch editor James Cracknell, who's joining the world's biggest half-marathon - the Great North Run - this weekend to raise money for Shelter.

A reminder of why James is such a strong supporter of Shelter: in his journalist role he has discovered the sheer scale of homelessness and its impact on individuals and families, in Enfield in particular, but throughout the country too.

Read last month's report about why James is running.

Read James's column about the Great North Run on the Enfield Dispatch website.

Sponsor James on Just Giving.
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