I am training hard to complete the biggest physical and mental challenge I will probably ever voluntarily do! This is why...

Leanne's story.

 

Eleven year old Leanne's Mum had a difficult upbringing so when she became a mother she didn't really know what to do. Leanne's clothes were often dirty, her hair messy. At school the kids would call her smelly and dirty and she was bullied relentlessly. The bullies threatened to kill her. Her school work began to suffer. At home Leanne was often left to cook her own dinner and do the cleaning.  She thought this was normal until she saw other children's homes. In the end it all became too much for Leanne and she ran away from home.

 

"I was an 11-year-old girl wandering around by myself at night and I was scared. Luckily, I saw the number for ChildLine in a phone-box and I spoke to a counsellor who listened to me. When I said I didn't want to go home they managed to find me a safe place for the night. It was the first time I'd felt safe and secure in a long time. If they hadn't helped me when I ran away I shudder to think what could have happened to me. I really don't know what I would have done without ChildLine."

 

My Mum is a Childline volunteer. There are 1300 volunteers like her, all overseen and supported by professional supervisors  Every day these volunteers take calls from children like Leanne. Children who are neglected, abused, bullied, scared and alone. Since 1986 Childline has provided counselling to 2.3 million children.

 

But this work can't continue without funds. It costs around £40 per child to provide the Childline service. This why I am training hard to complete the biggest physical and mental challenge I will ever do! Tough Mudder is a 12 mile obstacle course designed by Special Forces to test strength, stamina and determination and it will certainly test my fears.

 

If you can support this crazy mission of mine you'll be doing it knowing that you are helping children like Leanne. Thank you in advance!

 

Leanne's story is true but names have been changed - her permission has been given to re-tell her story.