<p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: &#39;Bell MT&#39;;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: &amp;quot;Bell MT&amp;quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, I'm running the London marathon on April 22...here's why:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: &amp;quot;Bell MT&amp;quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: &amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are 65,000 children and young people looked after by the state in England. Well over half of all children and young people taken into care are there because they have been abused or neglected - not because they are &lsquo;troublemakers&rsquo; as they are often portrayed. The prospects for those leaving care are often bleak compared with other young people of a similar age. Only <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">7%</span> go on to higher education and m<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ore than half</span> develop mental health problems. Voice provides a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">national free-phone</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">helpline</span> for all vulnerable young people in care, backed up by a national network of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">advocates</span> who can go out and meet them and provide them with a voice. Crucially they are independent from local authorities.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: &amp;quot;Bell MT&amp;quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: &amp;quot;Bell MT&amp;quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: &amp;quot;Trebuchet MS&amp;quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Not all children can rely on an adult being there for them when things get tough...Voice provides this for some of the most vulnerable children, and anything you can spare to help this excellent cause would be very much appreciated (and will be a huge help in getting me round 26.2 miles!)</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: &amp;quot;Bell MT&amp;quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: &amp;quot;Bell MT&amp;quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So please dig deep and donate now.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &amp;quot;Bell MT&amp;quot;;"></span></p> </p> </p> </span></span></p> </p>