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Laura's 10K Challenge Raises Funds for Outwood

Blog
The YPO Team
24 Jun 2026

Introduction:
Laura Wood, PR & Communications Officer at YPO, completed the Leeds 10K on Sunday 14 June to raise money for Outwood Grange Academies Trust’s (OGAT) Out There project.

In just three weeks, she raised £198, contributing to more than £1,500 raised by Leeds 10K participants and over £14,000 raised across the weekend alongside Yorkshire Three Peaks fundraiser.

Her story is one of determination, community support, and turning a personal challenge into meaningful fundraising.

Background:
Laura had never seen herself as a runner. She strongly disliked it, particularly the idea of running alone.

Her first step into running came during COVID, when she completed the NHS Couch to 5K programme. After that, her focus returned to kickboxing, where she trained three to four times a week and prioritised strength over stamina.

Her view began to change while training for her black belt in kickboxing, which required her to complete a two-mile run. To prepare for this, she added short 20-minute runs after training twice a week, and the support from other women in her group made the training easier and helped build her confidence.

Challenge:
For Laura, the challenge was about more than finishing a race.

It was about overcoming a genuine dislike of running, building confidence, and proving to herself that she could do something difficult. More so because casual running never appealed to her, as she was motivated by having a clear goal to work towards.

Training for the Leeds 10K also brought a practical challenge.

Hot weather made training very tough, and race day itself meant managing nerves, a busy atmosphere, and the added pressure of running for a cause linked to children and young people.

Solution:
Laura met that challenge by linking her personal goal to a wider purpose.

After being nominated by a colleague during a meeting with the OGAT team, this meant she was now running to raise money.

This gave her training added meaning and turned her running into a way of supporting children and young people.

She believes that projects like Outwood’s Out There initiative matter because they create opportunities for children to get involved with their communities and experience something positive beyond the digital world.

Building Momentum:
Laura built running into the routines that had already supported her kickboxing progress, adding short, consistent runs and gradually building stamina.

Over time, she noticed the benefits of her physical and mental health in training, sparring, and general fitness.

By the time of the Leeds 10K, Laura had already completed one competitive 10K race – AJ Bell’s Manchester 10K - and a local community 5K race.

Fundraising did not change the way she trained, but it did change how she reflected on the journey.

Sharing her progress became part of raising awareness and funds, with support from friends and family helping her through the build-up and race day.

Results:
The result was significant both personally and financially.

Laura raised £198 in three weeks and contributed to more than £1,500 raised by Leeds 10K participants, helping take the overall weekend total to more than £14,000.

Crossing the finish line, in her words, was overwhelming in the best way – she achieved a personal best, she was supported by her friends and family and knew she had gone above and beyond for the charity too.

Beyond the fundraising total, the experience reinforced something deeply personal for Laura… that she is capable of tough things when she puts her mind to them.

Her story shows how a personal challenge, backed by support and linked to a strong cause, can create impact for both the individual and the wider community.

With the Yorkshire 10 Mile race already in her sights for October, that journey is still evolving.

Author

The YPO Team

YPO supplies products and services to a wide range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, public sector and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes. YPO are 100% publicly owned, by 13 local authorities, which means the profits made are returned to public sector customers, delivering even better value for money.