Believe it or not this isn't just a midlife crisis run...

I've wanted to challenge myself for a while and after getting the opportunity to run for such a great charity which aligns with my own beliefs and the old day job, I thought it was about time I took the plunge.

So in April 2025, I will be taking on the huge challenge of running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for a special cause, the Children's Book Project.

Thousands of children grow up in homes with very few books of their own, sometimes none at all. This means they have fewer opportunities to lose themselves in stories, develop their reading skills and discover the world. Children's Book Project aim to stop book poverty by taking donations of pre-loved and new books and putting them into the hands of those children who need them the most. They work with women's groups, children's centres, prisons, and schools, forging links with communities that would benefit most from access to free books.

A little bit from the Children's Book Project...

THE POWER OF A BOOK

'Book ownership has been directly linked with improved mental health amongst children and a greater propensity to read for pleasure, whilst reading fluency itself has a significant impact on children’s successful progression through education. By age eleven, there is a 12-month language development gap between children from book rich homes books and those with fewer than ten books*. Our aim is to tackle the attainment gap arising from low book ownership. We want every child to feel part of their reading community and to identify with books that they have enjoyed.'

Thank you so much in advance for donating whatever you can, it really will make a massive difference.

Lauren x