Thanks for viewing my Just Giving page. My name’s Karen Clarke and I’m the PA to the Chief Executive Officer at Esteem Multi-Academy Trust. On Sunday 7th April 2019, I will be running my first, and last, marathon in Vienna. I’m hoping to raise £2,000 for projects/resources, which will benefit the students at the academies with our trust.

Esteem Multi-Academy Trust was formed in August 2018; it comprises six special and two alternative provision academies, in Derbyshire and East Staffordshire. I have worked for Esteem since its formation but, prior to that, spent 8 very happy years at Holbrook School for Autism, an academy that is part of the trust. I love my job and this is my way of giving a little something back for the job satisfaction I have had over the last 9 years.

I enjoy sport but I’m not a runner, and definitely not a long-distance runner. So how did I get myself entered in to a marathon? Well, I’ve liked the thought of running a marathon and it’s on the bucket list, right at the very bottom, so I probably wouldn’t have got around to it if I had my way. The first thing I knew about my entry was when I received the confirmation email – my husband, Gareth, very kindly completed the entry on my behalf. So, with Christmas out of the way, on 1st January 2019, I started my three months intensive training programme. It’s been hard and, believe me, I will NOT be running another one! No, I haven’t got the running bug and, yes, I will be very glad when it’s all over. My goal is to finish it, ideally within 5 hours, but that might be asking a bit much after 26.2 miles. The one thing that will get me through, and has done so far in my training, is knowing that the students will gain from my running pain.

And that’s where you can help. Please donate and help me to reach my fundraising target. You will be contributing to the education and improving the lives of students with special educational needs and disabilities and those that encounter barriers to learning. It doesn’t matter how big or small your donation, it all counts towards the total. I’d be really grateful if you could share this page with friends, family and colleagues.

Thank you for reading my story and for your valued donation.

With best wishes and gratitude,

Karen