Story
This October, I'm lacing up again to tackle the Royal Parks Half Marathon, raising money for the Child Growth Foundation – the charity which I am very lucky to serve as a trustee.
The CGF is small but very punchy charity that seeks to make a difference wherever growth is a concern. We support children and families living with undergrowth and overgrowth conditions of all kinds – including the likes of Russell-Silver Syndrome, SGA, IUGR, GHD and Sotos syndrome, which affects my second son.
We are living at a time when the charity sector is under significant financial pressure in general, and smaller charities like ours are feeling the pinch especially tightly. We urgently need funding to continue the work we do providing advice and information to families, building invaluable support networks, raising awareness of these conditions, funding research, and creating and providing resources for medical practitioners, educators, and carers.
Naturally, I'd love it if you gave us all of your money, but there's a reason 'every little helps' is a cliché – it is absolutely true, so please give what you can, and I'll run just that little bit faster, I promise.
'But Anthony, haven't you already done loads of sponsored running for the CGF? What makes this different.'
Yes, I have. But this is the first time I'll have done it with a slightly dodgy knee. The jeopardy is real.
'I've always wanted to ask you – is there a way to explain what Sotos syndrome is in a way that a 5–9 year old would understand? Preferably with fun, colourful illustrations?'
Yes, there is. It's called My Sotos Story and you can buy it now at https://childgrowthfoundation.org/product/my-sotos-story-storybook/
'If I sponsor you for this, do you promise not to ever badger me again?'
No, I categorically do not. I'm doing the London Marathon in April.