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Happy New Year to one and all.   <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Bob-Lemmon1">www.justgiving.com/Bob-Lemmon1</a>   I am unashamedly at it again having run the Great South Run in October (10 miles)!  Now it’s the big one - THE LONDON MARATHON!!!  Having asked for your support, which was fantastic, can I once again raid your pockets in support of another worthy cause?  If anyone has completed a marathon they will know how dedicated and focused you need to be, the training concludes with running in excess of 30 miles a week, with training having gone on for months in all types of weather conditions. This isn’t four hours plus of your life on the day, it is a very hard slog over several months. The personal achievement of completing this mammoth physical challenge, coupled with helping a very worthwhile charity makes all the effort worthwhile.   My chosen charity KIDSCAPE, who are they and what do they do.   KIDSCAPE is a charity committed to keeping children safe from abuse. It is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape believes that protecting children from harm is key. This is an award-winning charity known for its work in keeping children safe, it was established in 1985 by child psychologist Michele Elliott OBE. Michele and other staff members have helped set public policy, as well as influenced public opinion on a wide variety of children’s issues. In later years, <a href="http://www.kidscape.org.uk/KSCart/index.asp">DVDs, websites and books</a> appeared in order to serve children of all ages and abilities and their families and schools   How do they help - The charity’s first task was a continuing one - to convince schools and the world that a climate of bullying is toxic and harmful to the bully and the targets, as well as the bystanders who are not directly involved. Bullying, it was realised, is not just one of those familiar rituals of childhood, or a small matter, or something a child “needs” in order to toughen up. The whole school community can work together to ensure children are free from harm at school - allowed to be an individual, safe from harm at the hands of a schoolmate, with a circle of friends. Research has revealed much about both the bully and children who are targeted, and Kidscape built on that to design its innovative ZAP workshops. The workshops are held every month or so, courses run for a full day for children, while their parents attend a complimentary half day course. The course covers discussions on bullying and teaches techniques on self assertiveness that turns off bullies.   The Zap courses have proved effective with 85% of children who attend the courses report they are no longer being bullied and a further 8% say the situation has improved. With more funds additional courses and other support and further education to beat all forms of bullying could be made available.   How can you help – not all of us have the time or inclination for charity work so please help me to support this worthwhile cause by donating to my “justgiving link”.   <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Bob-Lemmon1">www.justgiving.com/Bob-Lemmon1</a>   I would also ask you to pass this email on to friends, family, businesses and colleagues and ask them to support my cause.   Can I leave you with this thought, all of us were children at one time and probably endured a bad experience and most of us have children or child relatives - so this is an issue close to our hearts.  Is it too much to expect that all children should be able to enjoy their childhood, free from sexual abuse/ bullying?  If so, help by ensuring there is help and support for children and their families and an education programme in place.  Let’s help Kidscape to stop all forms of bullying.   As parents we can make a difference - have you asked your child recently if they are being bullied or aware of bullying – Report it!!!   Thank you so much for any financial or other support you can offer. .

Bob's page London Marthon 2012

Bob's page London Marthon 2012

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