James Santer's LeJoG challenge
James Santer is raising money for The National Deaf Children's Society
Story
In May, I will be cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats on my own.
I am covering the 1,000 miles in support of a charity which I have become involved: The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS).
In 2012, the youngest of our twins, Lukas, was born profoundly deaf. In the two years which have passed since, Lukas has turned from a tiny, premature baby to a cheeky toddler and we, his family, have grown with him. We have learned sign language, gone through cochlear implant surgery, attended speech therapy and cheered every new word Lukas has spoken.
Through all our ups and downs, the support of NDCS has been constant. Their wonderful motto is "Every Deaf Child" and they are dedicated to creating a world without barriers for kids like Lukas.
One of the ways in which NDCS help families with a deaf child is by part-funding local support groups. We have attended Lambeth Deaf Children Society since Lukas was eight weeks old: the monthly meetings are vibrant, fun-filled afternoons which also offer a platform to share experiences. The group is run with very limited funds and the seemingly inexhaustible energy of parent volunteers.
All of the costs of the ride will be covered by the Allford Hall Monaghan Morris travel prize, which I won last year, so your entire donation will go to the NDCS; it will ensure that they help other deaf children and that their families will benefit from the same support which has been so invaluable to us.