I am in no way a distance runner, my sporting background (although a few years have past since I played) is team sports and specifically football. I wanted to challenge myself and raise funds for something/someone important to me and family so on 21st April 2024 I will be running the London Mathon on behalf of Leyland Veterans Cafe. The reason why you can read below.

Harper's Story

In 2021 at the tender age of 4 Harper (with a million questions about everything) asked why people were wearing a poppy? In the most child friendly way we could as parents we explained that it's to remember the soldiers who fought for us to stop "the nasty man" and his army taking over other countries and that sadly some soldiers didn't survive.

Harper took it upon herself to ask if she could make a card for a soldier who fought against the nasty man. We posted on our community social media page asking if anyone had Veterans in thier family who would like a card from Harper? and this is where the story really begins.

We were vontacted by the Leyland Veterans Cafe and offered the opportunity for Harper to meet a group of Veterans before the Rememberance Day parade. Harper made her own cards and poppy's and took them to give to the Veterans. In the card was written the words chose herself "Thankyou for keeping us safe." An amazing gesture from a special 4 year old who captured the hearts of the Veterans and members of NAAF M.C.C. Our family have been welcomed by the Cafe and allowed us to keep the act of Rememberence alive for the next generation.

We learn from those who go before us and it is our duty to pass these things on to those who follow us. A really special group of people and at the request of Harper I would like to raise as much as I can to support them