When I was at primary school, there was a collection box for the NSPCC on the piano. It was blue, it had a tree with lots of children on the branches, and you could drop your coin into the top, and it would roll down four or five branches before dropping into the box at the bottom. On the box was printed: “When the branch breaks, the NSPCC is there”. It was a powerful message for a five year old! We were given blue plastic eggs to collect our pennies in, to give to the NSPCC. I remember I managed to collect £5, all in coppers. That took quite some time!

Although I’ve run four marathons already I’ve never managed to get a place to run London before now. I’ve watched it – we made a trip out to see Paula Radcliffe running her last race, and my husband ran it as his last major marathon in 2018 when I was about seven months pregnant, running round the course to catch him at various points.

I’m in awe of the work the NSPCC does to protect children in the UK, and I remember the launch of Childline very well. I never needed to call: but knowing it’s there, to support young, vulnerable people is extremely reassuring, and something I would love to support further. As a Guide Leader in Central London, I’ve encountered girls who are growing up in far less than ideal surroundings, and I know other leaders who have greatly valued the support from the NSPCC in challenging circumstances. Being able to support the NSPCC to continue doing this, while doing something that I love doing, would be an absolute privilege.