I work for a charity called Innerflame (charity number 1127758) that runs courses for 16 - 25 year olds to help them develop the essential skills required for both independent life and work. After seeing the difference it makes to the lives of the young people that complete these courses, I decided that running the Swindon half marathon would be an ideal opportunity to raise some much needed funds.

85% of our students come from the most deprived wards of Swindon, Bath and Wiltshire and 47% of them are vulnerably housed or living in a hostel. 53% of them are affected by a learning disability such as autism and nearly half are affected by anxiety and/or depression.

We believe that everyone needs to do something meaningful in their life. Every young person has something to contribute to the world. We all benefit when that potential is realised. We aim to inspire every young person we meet – and in turn, we draw our inspiration from them and what they can achieve.

Please see our website for further information on what we do: http://innerflame.org.uk/