We are the fourth richest country in the world, and yet millions of people in Britain wake up every day in housing that is run-down, overcrowded, or dangerous. Many others have lost their home altogether. Bad housing robs us of security, health, and a fair chance in life.
Shelter believes everyone should have a home.
We help more than 170,000 people a year fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We also tackle the root causes of bad housing by campaigning for new laws, policies, and solutions.
We need your help to continue our work. If you would like to support Shelter with your running please contact the Running Team on 0844 515 1190 or by e-mail at marathon@shelter.org.uk.

Case study

Running a marathon or half marathon for many people is a life changing experience but while you are running you could also help change the lives of the 1 in 7 children in Britain growing up in bad housing.

Susan and her two young children, Amy and Oliver, were forced to leave their home last year due to domestic violence. In desperation they fled to a refuge, where they shared a bed in a tiny room. The kitchen was so filthy that six-year-old Amy cut herself on razor blades left in the sink.

Being homeless was devastating for Amy. Terrified of the people who stayed at the refuge, she couldn’t understand why she didn’t have a proper home like her friends at school. As she became more confused and upset, her schoolwork suffered. Susan could only watch as her happy, intelligent, little girl became more and more withdrawn.

After six weeks they were finally moved from the refuge to a small Bed & Breakfast, but they had barely unpacked when they were moved again to a run-down block. As you can imagine, the children were incredibly unsettled by all of these changes – they felt unsafe and as if they didn’t belong anywhere. All of the rooms were damp, cold and lonely, with no carpet and little furniture.

In desperation, Susan turned to Shelter to help find her and her children a new home to grow up in. Shelter was able to find them somewhere relatively quickly and they have now settled into and are enjoying living in their new home.