These statistics genuinely live in my head rent free and anyone with children or young family members will appreciate the scale of the problem that exists within one of the richest nations on the planet.

• 4,300,0000 children in the U.K. live in poverty
• 3 in 10 children live in poverty

“The number of children in poverty is set to reach five million this year. This means young people around you are going to school hungry, getting bullied for wearing an old uniform, or missing out on activities with friends. These young people have to work extra hard to stay happy, motivated and focused on the future.”

With any chosen charity there is usually a personal story behind it that gives it even more meaning and to give some clarity, mine is similar to some of the stories of children that have been able to share theirs with the Children’s Society.

I grew up in an alcoholic home and with ill mental health, meaning my childhood, unfortunately, isn’t full of happy memories. My Mum died suddenly when I was nine, which I was witness to, and my Dad’s alcoholism crossed an invisible line to the point where alcohol became the number one priority. Bills were unpaid, my school attendance was near zero and I was trying to support myself with very little life experience or skills. In quite quick succession, I was placed into the care system, which in hindsight was the right decision that ultimately changed the course of my life for the better.

It took many years of external work dealing with childhood trauma, abandonment and what was quite hard to accept. Neglect. I have an 11-year-old daughter that has been provided with a safe and secure platform for life and the results so far are amazing. A happy and confident young girl who is excelling in her education. Every single young person deserves the same opportunity and if all I have to do is run 26.2 miles to have an impact that improves a small number of young individuals' lives, then sign me up!

• £5 a month could pay for a hot meal, shower and living essentials for a young runaway
• £10 a month could pay for a front-line worker's phone so children in danger can contact them
• £20 a month could pay for a family to have mediation sessions to resolve conflict at home

Please donate as much as possible in order to support a worthy cause that can change the futures of young people for the better.

Chris.