I have been blessed all my life - from early childhood - to have wanted for nothing. Growing up in a supportive family, being given every opportunity I could have wanted or needed, I have always been incredibly lucky.

All over the UK, children and young people are growing up and living in much less fortunate and much more challenging circumstances. Nationally, the number of children living in poverty is expected to rise in the coming years, and there are areas of the country that are more at risk than others. 

In Barrow-in-Furness, where I lived for four years and have for more than eight, more than 20 per cent of children live in poverty. In some areas of the district in South Cumbria, that figure rises to almost 50 per cent.

Children from poorer backgrounds lag behind at all stages of education and are twice as likely to live in bad housing. This has significant effects on their physical and mental health, as well as educational achievement.

I have therefore chosen to run my first marathon for Brathay Trust. 

Brathay's Focus on Furness appeal aims to help young people living in Barrow and the surrounding areas living in care or entering the care system with unstable or difficult family lives. In a drive particularly close to my heart, it also works with vulnerable people - especially young women and girls - to ensure they value themselves, stay safe and have healthy relationships.

More recently, Brathay has launched Young Minds Matter, another scheme with personal resonance for me. 

The number of young people struggling with mental health difficulties has more than doubled in recent years. One quarter of young people in the UK experience suicidal thoughts, while rates of depression and anxiety in teenagers have increased by 70% in the past 25 years and around 25% of young people self-harm on one occasion.

Now, Brathay is working to help reduce these numbers.

As someone who has experienced the effects of mental illness, I cannot imagine having had to have lived with my anxiety at a younger age, or how I would handle the difficulties it still poses without the incredible support network I have in my family and closest friends. To live with that kind of challenge while also dealing with the day to day rigours of growing up and teen life must pose an incredible strain on young people. Brathay's work to help relieve that strain is vital.

These appeals are just a few examples of the many initiatives run by Brathay. The charity's overriding mission is to improve the life chances of children, young people and families by inspiring them to engage positively in their communities.

Every young person deserves an equal start in life. Please support me in helping Brathay pursue its commitment to this goal.