I will be running the Athens Marathon in November 2025, with others from Nottingham Uni, to raise money for Hft!

I’ve really got into running over the past year, I’m always dragging my friends out for runs and completed my first 10 miler in December!

I thought the original Marathon would be a great next challenge to take on in aid of such an important cause! I’m currently training for the Leeds half coming up in May in preparation for Athens, so am ramping up the miles!

This is all in aid of Hft - a charity which supports more than 2,700 adults with learning disabilities nationwide to live with independence, choice and the support that they need.

Learning disabilities include a reduced ability to understand new or complex information and learn new skills, as well as a reduced ability to cope independently, and affect 1.5 million people across the UK. They range from mild to profound, and include conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, and dyspraxia (DCD), amongst many others. People with profound learning disabilities have considerable difficulty in communicating and very limited understanding.

HFT operate in six regions across England by providing services such as family carer resources, in-home care and personalised technology, employment support, and transition support for those moving from children’s to adult social care services and from education to employment.

They have supported people such as Shaun, a 28 year old with a learning disability, in taking up boxing to improve his fitness and mobility skills. Shaun’s support worker helped him access classes and noted significant improvements in his speech, confidence, strength and walking ability, in turn improving his independence!

Any donations will be greatly appreciated and will be going towards an amazing cause! For more information on HFT and the work they do please follow the link below:

Hft | Our support services