I’ve been a lucky bugger throughout my life.

Of course, the biggest slice of luck you can claim in life is
the accident of your birth.

I was born into a family with the means to provide me with a
decent education and an environment which encouraged me to pursue the career of my choice and to travel the world.

Not everyone has those same choices.

Around the world the practice of taking child brides means many girls don’t have the opportunity to make the choices I have about education, careers and having children. You can find out more about it here: https://www.actionaid.org.uk/about-us/sexual-reproductive-health-and-rights-of-women-and-girls.  As an example, despite policies prohibiting the practice, in rural Ghana one in three girls is married between the ages of 12 and 17, leading to social, economic and reproductive difficulties.

That’s why I’m running 501 miles during the English cricket
season. Action Aid, with the support of the United Nations, are working in Ghana to end this practice. 80% of the funds for this program have already been raised and, with your help, we can assist them in making lasting change and give thousands of girls more freedom to choose.

This is Actionaid’s project aim:

We will ensure that 3,600 girls under 18 are empowered to raise awareness about their rights, reject child marriage, and continue with their education. In addition, 110,000 people from 120 communities will be more aware of the impact that child marriage has on children’s welfare and the need to put an end to the practice. Indirectly, this project will benefit an additional 100,000 children, parents and guardians from 12 districts of Ghana, which are located in the four regions of the country where child marriage is most prevalent.

https://www.actionaid.org.uk/changelives/donate?src=ppc&gclid=CJfyjfzyxNMCFWcq0wodJN0CHg&gclsrc=aw.ds

Why 501? No, it’s not a nod to a style of jeans. It is, of course, the highest innings ever scored in first class cricket; Brian Lara’s
famous dig for Warwickshire against Durham. As Edgbaston is my local ground it seems fitting that I start and finish there. I’ll have to run more than three miles a day, seven days a week, for five months. That’s around 11 laps of most major cricket grounds every day.

I’m not much of a runner and my work and travel schedule this summer is more hectic than ever. That’s why I’m hoping to get the support of the cricket community along the way – I’m going to need it. The biggest support you can give is to make a donation but any spreading of the word or sharing on social media as I #RunTo501 would be greatly appreciated.

I know there are many requests out there for charitable support so I’m going to keep mine small. If enough people can donate £5.01, $5.01, 501 rupees or whatever your currency is then I can hopefully reach my
target. Of course, if you’d like to contribute more that’s very much
appreciated. Think of it as shouting me a pint but for a much better cause and without the damage to my liver.

I’m going to pass a lot of cricket milestones along the way and I hope you’ll see a few familiar cricketing faces joining me for a lap or a mile to help me reach my target during Warwickshire’s final home game of the
season. Feel free to remind me of any milestones that I pass along the way - one for all the stats fans out there.

I’ll keep you updated on my progress on Twitter and Instagram
as well as on this site and there’ll be no cheating – I’ll publish my running data as I go. The only caveat I’m allowing is that if I fall ill or pick up an injury I can power walk for a few days!  

Thanks for your support and hopefully, together, we can make some real and meaningful change.