When my eldest, Thomas, started school, I had no point of reference to determine how he was developing and whether he was at age-expectation for things like reading and writing. When he got to Year 1, his teacher spotted a disconnect between his intelligence and his reading and writing and so began intervention sessions to support him.

Fast forward to Harry starting school and the same teacher, at the same point came to see me in the playground as she'd noticed all the same challenges she'd seen two years previously.

I am forever grateful to the school for recognising dyslexia in them both and providing the support that they could but, during lockdown and home-schooling it became apparent how pivotal good reading and writing skills are to the education system - those with challenges are left behind and the school doesn't receive the support and funding they should to help their children.

Dyslexia goes beyond finding reading and writing hard - in my children specifically, they find following instructions challenging if given too many at a time. If you give them too many options, they'll have forgotten the first one by the time you get to the last. All of these things I found frustrating as a parent until I understood they were part of the condition.

I said I wouldn't do it again but, seeing the frustration and daily struggle that comes with children being educated in a system that doesn't work for them has led me to don my trainers one more time!

The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity leads the way in providing specialist support to children, young people and adults with dyslexia and other Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs). Their mission is to help people: 1. Believe in themselves 2. Achieve their goals and 3. Succeed on their own terms. There is no government funding for dyslexia, despite its lifelong impact. Fundraising is vital to ensure in-depth assessment and tuition is available to anyone with dyslexia, including lower income families and schools in disadvantaged areas. Thank you.