Fuelled exclusively by iconic vegan sausage rolls, I am doing the Great North Run in support of the incredible work of Children North East.

Children North East exists because growing up can be hard. The charity creates life-changing differences for babies, children and young people in their families, schools and communities. They offer support at those times when a little help can make a big difference for a child and its future.

They deliver services, support and initiatives that provide a platform for children, young people and families to work through issues, take action and provide them with the tools to reach their full potential.  

Their activities include therapeutic services, domestic abuse services, poverty proofing services and campaigning to influence social policy and system change. Closest to my heart is their work in relation to mental health and the support they give to young people with a special educational need or disability. 

Those who know me will be aware that I love words and am terrified of numbers. These stats, about child poverty and mental health of children and young people, I find particularly scary*:

• 38% of children in the North East are growing up in poverty. This is the highest rate of any region in the UK, and is steadily increasing and overtook London last year.

• 1 in 6 children in the UK aged 6-16 have a probable mental disorder. 

• 56% of children in the UK aged 6-16 with a special educational need or disability have a probable mental disorder.

• 2 in 5 children in the UK aged 6-16 experienced a mental health deterioration over the last 4 years.
  

Your donation will help babies, children and young people in my native North East grow up healthy and happy.

Thank you 🙂

Steve

*Check out the details for yourself in the 2022 End Child Poverty Coalition report and the latest NHS figures from the 2021 wave 2 Update Report on Mental Health of Children and Young People in England.