I’m inspired every day by the difference Macmillan Cancer Support makes for people impacted by Cancer and by Reach Charity and the positive impact that they have on children living with an upper limb difference.

So why is that?

I was born with a physical hand difference (missing fingers and thumb on my right hand), which is something I've struggled with, more psychologically and emotionally than physically, throughout my life.

Due to a few early life experiences, I've never felt truly accepted for who I am except for when I'm helping those like me; those living with a difference. This is why the work that Reach Charity does (helping kids with upper limb differences) is something I care deeply about.

Alongside that, since joining Macmillan Cancer Support 6 months ago, I've regularly witnessed, through lived experiences, the incredible influence it has on people impacted by cancer.

However, it is the impact that Macmillan has had on me personally that I didn't anticipate. I've went from hiding my disability for the best part of 20 years, and feeling acutely ashamed about it on a daily basis, to openly discussing it with the new CEO and being a positive support to others in an organisation-wide forum. When I think about that transformation it blows my mind, and part of it is down to feeling psychologically safe and working in an environment that encourages vulnerability.

It's allowed me to bring my whole-self to work, which means that I'm a lot happier than I've ever been, and it also has a positive impact on my level of work and influence too.

I'm very aware that I'm still not quite where I would like to be, in terms of feeling psychologically safe to be who I am in other parts of my life, so here's my moment of inspiration to get there whilst helping others too.

10 for 100

This means that I'm going to spend the next 100 days being true to who I am, warts and all... and for every day that I do, I'll donate £10 split between both charities.

It means not hiding my limb difference at all, in any context, and talking about it truthfully and educating others when people ask questions.

That includes everything: Conferences, Train Journeys, School Runs, Kids Birthday Parties(!), Football Matches, Skydives, Park Runs... Food Shopping (!)

This is all new for me, and the challenge is real! There are some people I've known for 20 years that still don't know anything.

I'm nervous about what will show up and excited about what I’ll learn.

Here’s to finding out.

If any of my content inspires you in anyway please consider joining me and donating whatever you can afford in aid of these two worthy causes.