So I entered the ballot for the London Marathon just for fun to see what would happen and I ended up getting picked! What was I thinking?! I’m not a runner! However, since finding out I’ve been chosen, I’ve started training and I would like to use my place to raise money for Grief Encounter.

One child in every UK classroom will experience the death of someone close by the time they reach 16 years old. Grief Encounter’s mission is to give every child and young person access to the best possible support following the death of someone close.

Losing my dad to Covid in 2020 was the worst experience of my life. The grief that followed was really hard. I had so many mixed feelings, thoughts and emotions, and it was very difficult to navigate through it all. But I’m grateful that I had a lot of good support around me to help me through it. Not everyone has this and I can’t imagine what is must be like for a child to go through such grief.

Here’s how your donations can help:

- £26 could pay for a full grieftalk session for someone struggling with their profound grief

- £50 could pay for 10 specialist bereavement story books for young children to help put words to their emotions

- £100 could provide a Grief Relief Kit for a newly bereaved family who might be struggling following a recent bereavement

But honestly a donation of any amount would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

Love and blessings.

Nizam