Dear Family and Friends,

In April, after completing the Couch to 5k, I challenged myself to run the London Marathon to raise money for the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity.   

It's safe to say that I am not a natural runner and this is going to be something of a challenge - 26.2 miles seems an awful long way!  That being said, I am determined to be an example to all the pupils I teach, touched by dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties. I want to show them, and others, that everything is possible. With a certain amount of resilience,  if you channel your energy, your focus and your determination, it really is amazing what you can achieve! I honestly didn’t think I’d ever be able to run a marathon, but with a bit of luck I will complete it (and hopefully before the cones get taken away and the roads reopen!) 

Through my work as a Learning Support Teacher, I have first hand knowledge of how the impact of dyslexia can affect a child's ability to access their learning potential, and all too often the knock-on effect that this has on their self-esteem, particularly in the classroom. The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity leads the way in providing specialist support to children, young people and adults with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties. Their mission is to help people: believe in themselves, achieve their goals and succeed on their own terms. 

There is no government funding for dyslexia, despite its lifelong impact. Fundraising is vital to ensure in-depth assessment and tuition is available to anyone with dyslexia, including lower income families and schools in disadvantaged areas.

I am so grateful for your support and the lovely encouraging messages - it really has given me a boost to keep going in these last few weeks of training. I am now strangely excited about it (and I never thought I’d ever say that!) 

Love Nic xxx