Sian’s off to a fast start for charity

Only last year Sian Foster took up running and now is tackling 51 races to raise £5,000 for MS. Catherine Scott tries to catch up.
Sian FosterSian Foster
Sian Foster

Sian Foster is a busy woman.
When not in her ethical jewellery shop, Ella Georgia, or tending her popular website of the same name, she can be found running the lanes and roads of North Yorkshire in training for her next endurance race.

She is running 51 races culminating in her first ultra marathon – a total of 600km or 374 miles – to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.

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“My brother Neil was diagnosed with MS eight years ago and, despite it all he continues to smile and make the most of his life – regardless of his MS,” explains Sian, whose Boroughbridge business is celebrating its tenth birthday. “He is an inspiration to us all.”

Sian’s aim is to raise £5,000 for the MS Society which funds research into the debilitating condition and is already a fifth of the way there.

She also finds running therapeutic, despite her hectic lifestyle juggling being a businesswoman and single mum to Ella, nine.

“I find that running really helps me deal with the rest of my life somehow. I get up early and try to do a good run before I start work,” says Sian.

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“Ella has now got into running so that’s great and means we get to spend more time together and is great as its something as a single parent you can manage together. Running has become a way of life, much to the amusement of everyone around me.”

Sian started her own business ten years ago after leaving Taylors of Harrogate when she was pregnant with Ella. “I made jewellery when I was at university and sold it on a market stall. The when I was pregnant with Ellla I’d make jewellery in the evening, it was a real kitchen table type business.

“I then started selling into shops and realised that people really loved my work.”

She decided to start an online business and nine months later opened her shop in Boroughbridge selling artisan jewellery and accessories. The ethical side of her business is very important to Sian.

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“I do believe that people will buy things because they like them not simply because they are ethically sourced. But to me I couldn’t run a business unless I knew all the people involved in making the products have been fairly treated. If I wanted to make a lot of money this isn’t the way to do it, but my principles are treat people the way you want to be treated and I couldn’t do it any other way.”

Sian studied African and Asian studies at university before working for Taylors and Marks & Spencer.

“I was involved in bringing the first Fairtrade Kenyan coffee to the UK. Whatever business I was going to do was going to follow Fairtrade principles. I think people will buy things because they like them not just because they are ethically traded, but to me it is important.”

Sian’s business takes up a lot of her time as does looking after Ella, her businesses namesake.

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But running has now become an integral part of Sian’s life and helps her cope with life as a single mum and businesswoman.

She started out last year with a 10k, which was a challenge initially. “I needed something to keep me positive and get me fit. Having never run before six miles seemed a long way. Then I decided that I’d like to start raising money for MS research and set up my Just Giving page.

“I decided that no one would support me doing one race so I thought I’d set a tougher challenge and it has just grown from there.”

From 10kms she moved on to longer distance running and also challenging events such as the Spartan Warrior extreme obstacle race as well as 35-mile and 55-mile ultra marathons.

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Now she has set herself the target of completing ten marathons by the end of the year.

“Part of it is pushing yourself to the limit, putting yourself out there.

“When you finish it is such a personal achievement. It is such a great way to deal with everything life throws at you and raise money for a good cause,” says Sian.

“I also want to send out a message to single mums that is is possible to have a family and a business as well as do something for yourself. Running gives me the energy to do what I do.”

www.ellageorgia.com

A long road still lies ahead

SIan has the following races left to hit her 51 target:

19 May Newby Hall 10K

21 May Harrogate Inter Club Race

6 June Richmond Inter Club Race,

8 June Knaresborough Bed Race

16 June Castle Howard 10K

26 June Wetherby Inter Club Race

7 July Burn Valley Half Marathon

10 July Thirsk Inter Club Race

11 August Saltburn Marathon

8 September Spartan Warrior

15 September Pickering 10K

22 September Hardmoors 60

6 October Chester Marathon

10 October Shaun Lee Johnstone 10 Mile

9 November Goathland Marathon.

www.justgiving.com/Sian-Foster

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