I want to do something extra special with my Great North Run fundraising this year. I’ve chosen a charity that works across the North East delivering services that are vital to levelling up and supporting families through the cost of living crisis.

Far too many children in the North East are born into poverty and our region has fallen behind others in terms of school attainment and health inequalities. It doesn’t have to be this way. 

Positive experiences early in life are closely associated with better performance at school, better social and emotional development, improved work outcomes, higher income and better lifelong health. 

The Children’s Foundation makes key interventions to  improve the health and well-being of children and young people in the North East. 

The Foundation’s Make a Million appeal will ensure that every child born in the North East in the next five years will receive a MaM box containing a variety of essential resources including a change mat, bath towel, a book, a first toothbrush, a blanket, thermometer and much more. 

If needs be, the boxes will also provide a safe and comfortable place for babies to sleep as they come with a fitted sheet and mattress.

Each MaM box will also include developmentally stimulating toys , games and books to help parents ensure the best possible start in life through a focus on laughing, talking, reading, singing and playing all of which are known to stimulate optimal brain development in children.

Caring for young babies isn’t easy. That’s why the MaM campaign has been designed not only to benefit them but to support parents and carers, reminding them how valued they are.

So many friends have been incredibly generous in sponsoring me for different causes down the years. If you’re able to do so again, regardless of the amount, I’ll be hugely grateful for the difference you’ll have made to the life chances of babies and families all over the North East.

Thank you.

Thanks also to the brilliant Gil Johnston who took the photograph above with me and Sean Soulsby, chief executive of The Children's Foundation. I'm holding the t-shirt I'll be wearing on the big day and Sean has one of the MaM boxes.