Crisis Race to End Homelessness: An interview with Secretariat members Lisa O’Hara and Stephanie Miles
Other articles (Insolvency Practitioner, September 2020):
- Michelle Thorp, CEO
- Kevin Hellard, President
- IPA Virtual Roadshow Series
- Membership and licence renewals
- Further website updates
- Joint Insolvency Examination – still time for candidates to enter
- Call for evidence: Recognition of professional qualifications and regulation of professions
- Meet a Committee member
- Five minutes with…
- Guest article: Companies in voluntary liquidation authorised by the FCA can pose difficult and complex challenges for Insolvency Practitioners
Between 20th-31st July, eight members of the IPA Secretariat took part in the Race to End Homelessness for Crisis, the IPA’s Charity of the Year 2020/21. It is a fantastic event with a simple concept: set yourself a target distance, and get those kilometres in by walking, running or cycling.
Lisa O’Hara (Monitoring Inspector), Nikki Haggis (Membership Secretary) and Stephanie Miles (Events and Marketing Co-Ordinator) did particularly well, clocking up 107, 139 and 151 kilometres respectively. We spoke to Lisa and Stephanie to find out how the event went for them.
Lisa [top] and Stephanie in action!
What inspired you to take part in the Race to End Homelessness?
Lisa: I am inspired by the work Crisis do to help people in dire circumstances and wanted to do what I could to raise money to help them with their fantastic work. I think it is a most worthy and deserving cause.
Stephanie: The achievements made by others in similar races, raising money for Crisis, really inspired me to join in The Race to End Homelessness. It seemed like a good challenge too, one that I could get some sponsorship for.
How did you find it, clocking up all those miles?
Lisa: I’ve always enjoyed walking and do a fair bit having two active dogs. I’ve also done walking type challenges in the past, however I think I underestimated how much I would need to walk every day in order to achieve 100km – even the dogs got tired. I did most of the walking in an evening after 8pm with my sister, pounding the streets. Even my blisters got blisters.
I particularly remember one weekend where it did not stop raining and every time I went out I got soaked, but I could go home to shelter, to get warm and dry. That really made it hit home for me, the things I take for granted. I can only begin to imagine how hard living on the streets must be.
Stephanie: I try to keep quite fit anyway, so I enjoyed the extra workout! I had to complete my final miles abroad though, in intense heat – that made the miles a bit more challenging!
Any highlights from your amazing efforts?
Lisa: I was absolutely thrilled with the amount of sponsorship I received and the messages of support and encouragement. Even in the uncertain times we are living in, people want to help others less fortunate.
Stephanie: I ran my personal best on distance for this race, which I was proud of. Hiking in the Majorcan hills was a highlight also.