30 for 30 before 30!

13 April 2023

There is dedication to charity fundraising, and then there is dedication to charity fundraising. Lucinda Layfield – who, in 2023, is running 30 marathons for 30 charities before she turns 30 with the aim of raising £30,000 – falls into the latter category.

Lucinda, born in Leeds and now a geologist who splits her time between Aberdeen and London, has picked SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity to be one of the 30 benefitting from her incredible effort.

She began her “30 for 30 before 30” in January and has racked up an impressive eight marathons – roughly one per fortnight – up to the Easter weekend, with the remaining 22 to do before year’s end. Other charities she is running for include Women’s Aid, Tommy’s, and LGBT Foundation.

Ultramarathons, huge hikes, and dog walking with her Labradors are listed by Lucinda among her rather active hobbies, and although she has no military experience, her stepmum, Helen Layfield, works for SSAFA. 

Lucinda says: “I know of the incredible work that SSAFA does and has done since 1885. Many who have served have given civvies like me so much by serving their country; I want to give back to them by helping fundraise for SSAFA, who can give them support when how, and where they need it.”

Lucinda has a lot of marathons to run, and some way to go before she reaches her fundraising target of £30,000 for 30 charities.