Will Tarbard
2023 London Marathon with #TeamNSPCC
Fundraising for NSPCC
Story
Kira's Story
On April 23rd, Will is running the London marathon as part of Team NSPCC and Childline. I am so so so grateful for everything that everyone did to help me 3 years ago. It would mean so much to me and Will if you could donate, every little helps. This charity saves lives, it for sure helped saved mine
Will and Leanne were my teachers at school, and on the 8th of January 2020, Will got a message from childline/NSPCC. He emailed me and I went to see him, he asked me what it was about and I asked him to phone them first and then we would talk. Then I went and hid in the library, knowing my life was about to change forever. Will phoned them back and then came and found me and I told him about my life at home. Then I told the safeguarding lead, who helped me report everything to the police. I went home that day, and grabbed the things I needed. I remember I had to email will at 8pm to let him know I was okay. The next day, I drove to school, and a friend’s mum picked me up (THANKYOU
)
)A few days later I had my recorded interview at the Police Station, which Rachael took me to. Then the next day an arrest was made and the investigation process began, which ended in December 2021, after a 10 day trial.
All 11 jurors found the defendant guilty, and he was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment in February of this year. He passed away at the end of October after 7 months in prison.
We went into lockdown in 2020 and I know for a fact if I hadn’t have moved out I wouldn’t be here now. Childline/NSPCC, Will and Leanne and Rachael and Derek saved me. And I will be grateful forever. I wouldn’t have got in touch with Dad and Mum and any of my crazy family, I wouldn’t have applied to do my uni degree. I wouldn’t be a childminder and never have met any of those beautiful children who make me smile everyday. I wouldn’t know half of the people and family I know now and I wouldn’t have met Kay and Matt or any of my gorgeous nephews. I never would have travelled to any of the places I went this last year, and I wouldn’t have half the experiences I have now.
You really are one decision away from changing your life. I am so much happier now and so many people have noticed. Thank you to EVERYONE who has helped me along the way, I have so much love for you all. 
A Tarbs' Update....
Every word Kira has written reflects that day 3 years ago! The only bit missing is the strength, endeavour and immense courage she showed to open up to set the wheels in motion to change her life for the better. Her account of events really does replicate reality, but does have a modest tone of a young lady wise beyond her years. Someone who is inspirational to so many women today. THIS IS WHY I WILL BE RUNNING THE LONDON MARATHON! PLEASE DONATE ANYTHING YOU CAN TO THIS CHARITY AS IT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN CHANGING THIS YOUNG LADIES LIFE. Without the NSPCC’s intervention from an online chat, I would hate to see the situation this incredible young lady would have been in back in 2020!
So much of education now is based around progress, results and performance data. So much should be based around happiness and wellbeing of young people. We live in a world post covid where physical and mental well-being of young people is at its lowest. Money and staffing in schools are extremely limited and underfunded, with teachers and support staff having limited time and energy to go the extra-mile for students. Do some of us do this – yes of course we do, but there are definitely students that slip through the net through no fault of our own. This is where charities like the NSPCC come in, as this is a 24-hour support service for young people to talk to! This could be their first step to change and progressing to a better life, health and well-being.
My big question is this though……
As a young person, if you are in danger or trouble, who do you go to? Thank god we have amazing charities like the NSPCC!
