In September 2021 I decided to "have a go" at a  couch 2 5k with the Market Drayton Running Club. I struggled with running to the end of the road and can remember that first jump to running 7 minutes non stop was so tough.

Roll forward a few months after completing 3 10ks... somehow with a bit of peer pressure (you know who you are) I've signed up to a half marathon!!!!

After the initial "what have I done", I'm now on track with training and feeling more confident I can make it somehow to the end.

Being my first half I've decided to fundraise for GFS and in memory of volunteer Eunice Gibbons who has recently passed away. 

GFS is an ambitious organisation that has a clear plan about how to address gender inequality – working with the girls of today and the women of tomorrow.

Research tells us that girls as young as five routinely worry about their weight and appearance and that confidence deteriorates fast from the age of 10 so by the time girls are young adults they see less opportunity for them and start to think they can only do certain roles because they are a girl.

The role of GFS is to interrupt this pattern by offering the chance to become the GFS girl, sustain self-belief and to be role models for others.

Here's the stats:

• Girls (10-13) are significantly less satisfied with their appearance, self-confidence than boys. 
• There is a distinct drop in girls’ self-esteem from ages 10. At 11, 15% say they are unhappy about appearance but by 14 it increases to 29%.
• This is echoed in the number of girls saying that they can be themselves– falling from 70% (7-10 yrs) to 38% (17-21 yrs)
• 90% girls in the UK will not spend time with family and friends, participate in activities, or try out a team or club if they aren’t happy with the way they look.
  
• The impact on their future hopes and dreams is that they see less opportunity and start to feel the need to fulfil gender stereotypes: ‘There are certain careers I am expected to do because I am a girl’ rises from 32%(7-10 yrs) to 53%(17-21yrs )
  
• Women make up just 29% of MPs, 24% of FTSE 100 directors. (decision makers)
• Women have 75% lowest-paid jobs. Working women earn 87p for every £1 a man earns; at the current rate it will be 70 years before that gap closes.

So how can you help? 

• £5 donation would help: provide a group with a book about diverse women role models for them to base activities on.
• £10 donation would help: provide funds to cover resources for a group activities.
• £20 donation would help us: pay one week’s hire fee on an accessible venue for one of our groups.
• £32 donation would help us: cover the difference between what we charge for one month of sessions and how much they cost us to run.
• £40 donation would help us: allow us to waive one month of fees for a GFS girl who would not otherwise be able to attend.
  
  

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.