Dear All, I will be running a half marathon ( London Big Half ) alongside my friends - Monika and Sarah in September this year to raise funds for a charity - Kiya Survivors. 

Kiya Survivors is a registered charity that aims to provide a new beginning for children and young people with special needs or those that had been abused and/or abandoned. They help the children by providing them food and love ; hope that children gain independence through education and therapy.

The organisation opened the first of its kind special needs education centre in Sacred valley , Peru - 'The Rainbow education centre 'in 2002. It is run at no cost to the families by a team consisting of teachers, physiotherapists, psychologists and community workers . Since then the Kiya Survivors team has opened 4 other centres and has become an integral part of the communities it serves. 

The organisation works alongside local authorities to help instigate changes in areas such as providing appropriate special needs services, supporting local schools , work spaces and encouraging the integration of children with special needs so they can thrive in their communities and homes. 

I came across this organisation through my lovely friend/neighbour Monika who spent a few months in Urubamba as a volunteer supporting the staff providing care for the children there. She described it as being a 'life changing' experience for her. She was touched by love of the children, the  passion of the staff and the volunteers helping these children - some of whom have now grown to be self-sufficient adults.  

When Monika came to me with the opportunity to run a half marathon to raise funds for this organisation - I immediately said yes as the values of this organisation are very close to my heart . Whilst it shouldn't matter where you are born - the sad reality is it does. Every child however deserves to be loved, valued, their needs understood and have access to supports to reach their potential ..

Quilla ( pronounced Kiya) is the Quechua word for moon .. the symbol of new beginning. Doesn't everyone deserve a fair chance? 

I hope you can support me and my friends in raising funds for this wonderful charity.. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.