Wolves Foundation ambassador and media presenter Amber Sandhu is swapping the microphone for miles – and plenty of them! – by taking part in Sunday’s London Marathon.
Amber is all set for a ‘once in a lifetime experience’ as she heads to the capital, supported by friends and family, to raise funds for Wolves’ official charity.
Amber, who lives in Tettenhall, started out volunteering with Wolves Community Radio before joining the BBC as an intern, since when she has impressively progressed her career to working as a freelance not just across many parts of the BBC but also covering Premier League football for Sky Sports News.
Only a couple of weeks ago she was at her beloved Molineux as matchday host for the Women’s League Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal.
Never one to shirk away from a challenge, the lifelong Wolves fan is now getting set for one of the biggest of all – covering the 26 miles and 385 yards of her first ever marathon in the capital city.
And it all came about thanks to one of her BBC colleagues, her ‘work bestie’ Megan Jones, after the two were in London to watch last year’s Marathon.
“Megan had been down to watch her Dad and I was also in London so we drove back together and were just chatting about whether we should give it a go,” Amber reveals.
“It was down to Megan that we both applied, but given there are so many thousands who try and take part, I never thought that Amber from Wolverhampton would get a space!
“As it was, I was successful and unfortunately Megan wasn’t, although I think she is slightly relieved now she has seen how much training I have had to do!
“I do feel very lucky and grateful to have got a place, the London Marathon is such a huge event and something I will probably only ever do once in my life.
“If you had spoken to me last week, I was a bag of nerves and anxious about not wanting to let anyone down.
“But I woke up on Monday morning with a real sense of excitement – it’s such a great opportunity that I want to make the very most of it.
“People say the training is what gets you to the start line and then it’s all about a celebration, that’s the mentality I want to embrace and I am aiming to smile my way around the 26 miles!”
Amber, a keen cricketer and footballer, started running during lockdown when those sporting activities were curtailed and worked her way up to completing a distance of 10km.
That has now stepped up dramatically following several months of intensive training and her final long run before the weekend covered 22 miles.
She is also delighted to be fundraising for the Foundation.
“I was privileged to be named as one of the ambassadors of the Foundation back in December, and being a proud Wolves girl, I want to do as much as possible to help,” she explains.
“So, to choose the Foundation for my fundraising from the Marathon is a no-brainer, and people have been really lovely with their donations so far.
“Just playing a small part in helping the Foundation make a difference in the local community, and representing them in this big event on Sunday, is something that makes me very proud.”
Supporting the Foundation’s work will be one powerful incentive for Amber when Sunday comes around, on top of which she will also have her motivational musical playlist as well as friends and family who will be dotted around the course.
But there is also something else that will keep her going through the inevitable tough times which affect every marathon runner whatever their level of experience. Pizza!
“It will be great to see my friends and family supporting on the way around but I’ll be honest, the thought of pizza at the end will be keeping me going,” she laughs.
“I have a reservation already booked for pizza after the race, and that will help me through the tough times!
“Just the thought of getting to the end and seeing friends and family having completed a marathon is something I never thought I would ever be able to say – I am really looking forward to it!”
Everyone from the Foundation would like to thank Amber for her marathon effort and wish her good luck for Sunday. If you would like to support her, and the Foundation, click here to access her fundraising page.
- If any other fans wish to carry out some fundraising for the Foundation, it doesn’t have to be as strenuous as running 26 miles! Click here to find out more and download a fundraising pack.
