A passionate fundraiser is putting her best foot forward in a marathon challenge to help a Prior's Court support young people with complex autism.  

Rachel Clements, who is from Southampton, is running the Brighton Marathon fundraising for Prior’s Court this Sunday, 2 April 2023.

Rachel was inspired to run for Prior’s Court after visiting our site to undertake volunteer work with her employer, Andover-based Simplyhealth.  

Rachel said: “We have volunteering days as part of our benefits package at Simplyhealth and as a team we decided to do a volunteering day together so we came to help out at Prior’s Court.  

“I’d already booked my marathon and was thinking about who to run for and after spending the day at Prior’s Court and seeing the amazing work that they do I was so inspired and amazed that I couldn’t imagine running for anyone else!"

Rachel added: “I’ve never run anything like a marathon before. I ran the Great South Run a few years ago but 10 miles doesn’t really touch the sides of a full marathon!” 

Rachel added: “The fact the marathon is taking place during World Autism Acceptance Week is even more of a motivator to raise awareness and money. Being able to run with Prior’s Court’s name on my back creates overwhelming amount of pride!”  

Places at Prior’s Court are funded by organisations such as Local Authorities, which covers the young people’s residential care and learning needs. What this doesn’t cover is specialist equipment such as a sensory swimming pool, fun days out and accessible school trips, tailored facilities such as our autism specific residential homes, an onsite countryside learning centre, a bakery to learn work skills and the opportunity to have to have extraordinary experiences. These “above and beyond” experiences are covered by raising funds, through efforts such as Rachel running the Brighton Marathon. 

To donate, go to Rachel’s JustGiving page.