I’m raising money for children and young people's writing and mentoring charity Little Green Pig. On August 25th,  I'm taking part in the South Coast Half Challenge, walking from Eastbourne to Hove, up Beachy Head, over the Seven Sisters, and along the South Downs Way. I'm doing it alongside my brilliant friend Ella Burns. It's 55 km (34 miles) and the furthest we have ever walked.  We're hoping to complete it in 10 - 12 hours. 

Little Green Pig is a charity that Ella started as a club at Brighton Youth Club close to 10 years ago. LGP believes that everyone, whatever their background, has a right to write and needs a space to create. LGP believes something special happens when you pick up a pen; that writing grows self confidence, develops empathy, builds healthy communities, and promotes good communication. When we tell our stories, we discover who we are.

Little Green Pig work predominantly in Brighton and Sussex’s most deprived communities, both in and out of schools, including young people who have English as a second language, ensuring that children from all backgrounds have a chance to express themselves creatively, tell their stories and expand their horizons.

LGP have grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, both in terms of income and the numbers of young people they work with, and they're on track to work with close to 1000 children and young people this year. Recent projects have included Brighton's first youth radio show on Radio Reverb, the city's first travel guide by children, for children, as well as crime plays, soap operas. They've also completed two school residencies in Moulsecoomb and Whitehawk where they worked with every child in each school in two fantastical learning spaces: the Tooth & Claw Store and BrightSTAR.

Over the next few years LGP plan to expand into working in Eastbourne, Worthing and wider Sussex and reach even more children and young people. 

I'd be very grateful for any donations. Whether it's £5 or £25,  every penny will go to providing free workshops for children and young people (have a look at littlegreenpig.org.uk). As schools are under more and more pressure to offer fewer and fewer opportunities for imaginations to soar, it’s more vital than ever that we provide places where that can happen. 

Some quotes from some of the children LGP have worked with:

"I like how it makes you feel brave." 

"I never in my life thought I'd get the chance to meet a real life writer and see my work on the stage."  

"I didn’t speak to the audience at the last project (showcase), but I spoke on the stage for this one.  It was fine speaking in front of an audience. I felt proud of myself at the end."