So yes, the story is true; although in the words of one of my lovely class ‘I don’t look like someone who would run a marathon’,  I am in fact running the London marathon on the 23rd April 2023.  Wow - I’ve said it out loud, no backing out now!  So, what better cause to run for than to help improve the physical and mental health of the children who make me smile every day.  The children of Blackawton Primary School. 

My gorgeous girls, along with the rest of our family, have experienced more heartache than any child ever should.  The impact of this has meant that struggles with mental health have weighed heavily on our family life.  The girl’s schools have worked hard to support them and I would like to do the same for the children I teach. 

Mental health statistics in young people have seen a 50% increase in the last three years. Now, around 1 in 6 children aged between 5 and 16 likely to have a mental health problem. Overstretched children’s well-being specialist services result in many children not getting the help they require. As a result, this highlights the need to make children’s well-being a priority.  Spending time outside in an unstructured environment has social and emotional benefits. Children are at their happiest when free playing outdoors, leaving the lesson plans behind and following their own imagination.

Therefore,  I am running to raise funds for our currently dull and uninspiring playground. To help our future generation feel the joy of playing safely and freely.  As you can imagine, I’m not a natural athlete! I think Mo Farrah will probably finish before I start  but I’m giving it a good go, so please spare what you can and I’ll think of me on the 23rd!