Meet Yvo: Taking on the London Marathon for Essex Recovery Foundation

We’re delighted to introduce Yvo Heidemans, who will be taking on the 2027 TCS London Marathon to raise money for Essex Recovery Foundation.

Yvo is a Social Worker and Team Manager for Essex County Council’s Changing Futures Wellbeing Team, supporting people with their mental health and alcohol use. Through his work, he has seen first-hand the difference that recovery support and connection can make.

A connection to Essex Recovery Foundation

Yvo and his team have worked alongside Essex Recovery Foundation and taken part in ERF events and networking opportunities, while members of his team have also volunteered at Essex Recovery Festival.

“I’ve experienced the passion, drive and knowledge of Essex Recovery Foundation first-hand. I’ve seen the remarkable support ERF provides for the people we work with, giving people a safe space, helping to normalise being sober and supporting people in their recovery.”

For Yvo, this first-hand experience made choosing to fundraise for ERF an easy decision.

“We wouldn’t be able to provide some of the support we give without Essex Recovery Foundation.”

Taking on London

Outside of work, Yvo is a keen runner and a member and coach at Brentwood Beagles Athletics Club. Having already completed several marathons, the opportunity to combine his love of running with supporting a cause close to him was too good to miss.

“When Essex Recovery Foundation announced that they had a charity place for the London Marathon, the best marathon in the world, I was quick to send in my application!”

With seven months still to go, Yvo has already started training and is looking forward to everything that comes with taking on London, from the atmosphere on race day to having the ERF community cheering him on.

But there are plenty of miles to cover before he reaches the start line.

“I’m fully aware of how brutal the training can be. The peak of my training will be in January and February, so please spare me a thought, and preferably a donation to ERF, when I’m heading out in the dark, rain, snow or hail to do a 16-mile training run without anybody cheering me on!”

Knowing that every mile is helping to raise money for a cause he cares about will be a big source of motivation.

Supporting Yvo and ERF

As a small charity, fundraising makes an important contribution to the work we do with recovery communities across Essex.

Yvo said:

“For everybody supporting me, thank you. Your donations will keep me going and I know they will be going to a good cause. The money you donate will be used to support people in recovery so they can achieve their goals.”

You can support Yvo’s London Marathon fundraising here:

https://2027tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/yvo-heidemans

You can also follow Yvo’s training journey on Strava:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/37647883

We’re incredibly grateful to Yvo for taking on this challenge for Essex Recovery Foundation and we’ll be following his training over the coming months as he works towards the start line.

Good luck, Yvo. We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!