As many of you will already know, I am a keen ultra runner. I have previously ran two 100 miler’s and a 3 day stage race totalling 135 miles. Whilst I obviously love running, I also enter these events because I find it fascinating to see what the body is capable if you have the right mindset.

So, this year’s challenge is GB Ultras – Race Across Scotland. A 215 mile foot race, with a 100 hour cut off. It starts on August 12th at 6am and follows the Southern Upland Way from Portpatrick on the West Coast to Cockburnspath on the East Coast. This will be the furthest I have attempted, and training is currently going really well.

I’ve decided to raise some money for Charity. My chosen charity is I AM Celebrating Autism. This is a Manchester based charity and their mission is ‘to create communities of support across Greater Manchester for people on the autistic spectrum which enable personal and professional development’.

My nephew is 18 years old, and is on the autistic spectrum. Towards the end of lockdown, Louis was pretty much at a point of refusing to leave the house because this was simply too much for him. His mum encouraged him to go and try out a youth club run by I AM Celebrating Autism. Louis previously, was generally never ready to out on time, however after attending the youth club a few times, every week he was ready to go out to youth club. He said to his mum ‘I just feel like I fit in when I go there’.

Louis has now made friends at the youth club, and all this has really helped his confidence. It helped him settle into college and he also got his first job. This is massive as ‘only 22% of autistic adults are in some kind of paid employment’

Many people on the autistic spectrum do not have access to support, environments or experiences that enable them to develop both socially and professionally. With the right environment, opportunities that do just that can be made available.

If you can spare a few quid, to support others who would benefit from this support, it would be very much appreciated.