I will be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money on behalf of The Fulham School Bursary Fund (with the aid of The Gold Standard Charitable Trust).

I was hugely fortunate to have access to a private education in Dorset from the age of 8-18. The opportunities that I was afforded have shaped the person that I am today. I travelled the world through sport, was able to try a multitude of different subjects, learned vital skills such as teamwork, resilience and adaptability and made friends for life.

While these skills can be gained across all levels of education in the UK, I believe that all children should have chance to be offered the best provision possible to give them a well-balanced and high class learning environment.

Children I have taught who have benefited from bursaries have gone on to be well-rounded individuals with a passion and eagerness to learn and have attended some of the best senior schools in London and beyond.

This thirst for knowledge is what shapes our future leaders and your donation could allow the opportunity to a young person to open up a whole new world of education.

The Gold Standard Charitable Trust does an excellent job of making bursaries possible and bringing in fantastic, talented pupils whose family economic circumstances would otherwise prevent them from attending a school like Fulham School. They are supporting 38 pupils this year and are seeking to increase their impact.

The Trust does not, however, have an endowment, so they rely on fundraising events and appeals -- such as this Half Marathon campaign – to raise the necessary funds each year.

The GSCT are aiming to raise £50,000 through this event, through runners from across the Inspired Schools, which will cover two full bursaries for children.

Any support that you can offer would be hugely appreciated. Every penny raised will go directly to support a child receiving a bursary.

Thank you

James