MERC X HARP collaboration At MERC, we continue to support our communities by actively engaging with local charities and support networks. We continue to deliver on our aims and objectives as we move forward.
Our partnership with HARP Southend continues to grow, and we’ve now completed our second official run together.
What started as an idea is quickly becoming something real—bringing people together through running while supporting an important cause in our local community.
Supporting Beyond the Run
This time, it wasn’t just about the miles.
As part of our ongoing effort to support HARP, we were proud to provide free MERC t-shirts to participants. It’s a small gesture, but one that represents unity, inclusion, and being part of something bigger.
Why This Matters
HARP does incredible work supporting people experiencing homelessness in Southend. Partnering with them allows us to use our platform and community to raise awareness and give back in meaningful ways.
More Than Just Running
Each run is another step forward—not just for fitness, but for community impact.
We’re just getting started, and we’re committed to continuing this journey with HARP.
Get Involved
- Support HARP Southend
- Be part of a community that runs with purpose
Our Founder and Director of Operations Raihan Uddin, was excited to join in on the 1st and 2nd run with HARP Staff and members, showcasing one of our official run club T-shirts. It was nice to see people embracing the club colours. One of the HARP members (Antony), right of the group photo, was also fasting as part of observing Lent. Our Founder is also fasting as part of the holy month of Ramadan. It was fantastic to be able to showcase how people of multiple faiths can come together and run with unity and togetherness.
As we start to close off on the winter months, our second run along Southend On Sea City Jubilee Beach was intense due to the winds, which we felt as we were coming back towards our start point. Covering 2.18km of running distance with a fantastic average pace of 6:23/km in 14 minutes was a really strong effort. As a group, we took short breaks to walk, stretch, recuperate, and gather our strength to go again.
Below is some information on religious groups and fasting:
Many Christians fast, particularly Catholics, Eastern/Oriental Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists, often focusing on the 40 days of Lent. Common fasting days include Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Fridays throughout the year. Practices range from strict abstinence from meat and dairy (especially in Orthodox traditions) to voluntary, individual fasting for spiritual reflection.
Muslims fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, by abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and marital relations from dawn to sunset. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, focusing on spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and devotion to Allah. The fast is broken with an evening meal called Iftar.
MERC will continue to support members of HARP through our weekly sessions in Southend. As we continue to grow, we hope that our relationship with HAPR gets even stronger.
