Ahead of the TCS London Marathon on Sunday 21 April, Amy Harrison, LandAid Ambassador and Assistant Surveyor at Gerald Eve, a Newmark Company, discusses why she’ll be taking on this incredible challenge for LandAid.
23-year-old Amy Harrison is an Assistant Surveyor at property consultancy, Gerald Eve, a Newmark Company. Incredibly, Amy has decided to take on the London marathon in support of LandAid, and somewhere in-between her busy working day and training schedule, we’ve managed to catch up with Amy ahead of the event.
Amy, thanks for taking the time out to speak to us and for your brilliant support.
Gerald Eve, a Newmark Company, is a firm of chartered surveyors and property consultants based in the UK, operating from nine offices. With over 600 professionals and expansive reach through Newmark’s global platform, we provide independent, intelligent, and relevant advice based on detailed market knowledge and sector understanding. Newmark is a global leading commercial real estate advisor and service provider to large institutional investors, global corporations, and other owners.
I joined in September 2023 on the Commercial Surveying graduate scheme, and I am currently placed within the Hotels and Extended Stay Team, specialising in hotel advisory, valuation and investment. I really enjoy my job and work with some amazing individuals who have encouraged and supported me with my fundraising.
The training during winter has been hard with dark nights and cold weather, especially working full time. A big help was joining the planning and development work running club. It has offered a great opportunity to meet colleagues across the business as well as admire some of the scenery in Regents Park on my lunch break!
Will this be your first marathon challenge, or have you taken part in anything similar before?
I love running and have always been a keen runner, having completed the Yorkshire marathon with my mum, when I was just 16-years old. However, I was much younger and fitter back then! I have also completed the London to Paris Cycle, and last year climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for Yorkshire Air Ambulance – this was a huge achievement as I completed it with my family.
For me, taking part in sporting activities especially whilst supporting local charities is important. It’s one small way in which I can raise awareness about the amazing work that charities do day in day out – making a real difference to our local communities.
The London marathon was a must for me – especially living and working in London. The atmosphere will be amazing.
Where did you first hear of LandAid?
At Gerald Eve, a Newmark Company, we take our corporate responsibility seriously – we pride ourselves on our commitment to our people and our local communities and as part of that, are proud long-term Partners of LandAid.
Since starting in September and becoming more aware of the important work LandAid do I have also become a LandAid Ambassador. So far, as part of that role I have helped with recruitment for the SleepOut and myself and my fellow LandAid Ambassadors at my organisation are planning some summer networking.
Last year, nearly 136,000 young people in the UK reported to their local authority as experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This is a 58% rise in six years!
LandAid’s mission to bring the property and wider built environment industry together to support charities delivering life-changing services for so many young people who have nowhere else to turn, and to tackle the root causes of youth homelessness, is more important than ever.
Alongside LandAid being one of our partner charities at Gerald Eve, a Newmark Company, coupled with the urgent crisis of youth homelessness, it just felt right to run the London Marathon in aid of it.
I know times are tough for many right now. To anyone reading this, any donations you can spare will give young people facing homelessness a chance of a safe, secure, and positive future.
For anyone new to running, or even those anyone thinking about signing up for their first marathon (we hear the ballot for next year’s London Marathon opens on Saturday!) what piece of advice would you give them?
Put yourself out there! Join a running club as they are super sociable and a great way of meeting new people, get a banging playlist on, run with friends, and have catchups!
You don’t have to answer this one, but is there a certain time on the clock you’re hoping to achieve (or is crossing the finish line the main aim?)
Initially, I wanted to complete it in 3.5 hours, but as you know training doesn’t always go to plan. I have been stuck with a few injuries, but I will try to get as close as possible to this time.
Will you have anyone there supporting you on the day?
All my family are coming down from Yorkshire to watch and I have a big pub trip arranged with my friends after. I do think the atmosphere on the day will carry me through!
