Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

2022 is a big year! I am currently on secondment to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and some of us in our team decided we should have a Games Year challenge. Mine is to do the Birmingham 10km. 

I would love it if you could please sponsor me. Knowing that I am raising some money for a great cause will keep me going, even when I am red, sweaty and close to puking.

At the Games my role is Legacy Plan and Legacy Charity Lead. The charity is new and it is called United By 2022. It is Birmingham 2022's legacy charity and in the run up to the Games we are building a community fund that can carry on the best of the legacy projects started by the Games. 

This means we will be able to create more opportunities for young people, accessible playgrounds, catch up swimming lessons - practical support at a local level in the hands of the diverse communities of Birmingham and the West Midlands. From Autumn 2022 grant funding applications will open and the money raised will be distributed to a range of projects. 

I am particularly keen to raise money for one of the projects that we have already identified. In our team we refer to it as 'Perry's Playground'. 

One of our B2022 colleagues is a brilliant young apprentice in the  Sport Competition team called Nicole. Nicole is blind and Nicole's younger sister is disabled. Unlike when my kids were small Nicole's family can't just decide on a whim to go to a playground when as a family they need to let off steam. They have to drive, for an hour, to get to an accessible playground. And that's not right.

Birmingham and the West Midlands doesn’t have enough accessible play spaces for children and young people with additional needs. Play spaces they need to connect with others. Playing outside is positive, it can relieve stress, stimulate creativity and exploration, boost confidence and should be a simple part of childhood. Working with Local Authorities and organisations like Active Black Country and Sport Birmingham, United By 2022 wants to transform existing playgrounds. Donations can help us towards the £50,000+ needed to create an inclusive and accessible space that will allow everyone to play together.

So with this project in mind I have entered the Great Birmingham 10km.  I know for many people that 10km is a total breeze, but for me this distance is a proper challenge. If you know me at all you will know that I have never been a runner. I used to walk during PE/athletics at school and after that would only run if I absolutely had to - maybe occasionally for the bus.

In Autumn 2019 I was persuaded to do Couch to 5km. I completed it and have kept going since. Since May 2020 I have done a 5km on all but 4 or 5 weekends. I am slow, I still don't like it, but the endorphin rush makes it worth it (well kind of...).  

Even if you can only contribute £1 that would be incredible.

Thank you!

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