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In 2018 Hils ran her 1st Marathon & my role was as her fundraising & social media manager! So...why are we doing this crazy ass thing yet again?! Well...the charity were so appreciative of our efforts and Hils' achievement that they offered us both a charity place each! At that point panic truly set in for me :-D and as each month passes the knowledge of what lies ahead, what with the winter training & the marathon itself etc is starting to dawn ever brighter!

My story is a far simpler one than Hils' below. In 2008 my wife & mother of my 3 children Julie, lost her short fight with Cancer. That and the recession made sure that mine and the kids' lives would change forever! In 2009 I decided I wanted to run the London Marathon in memory of Julie but somehow, never got round to doing anything about it. In 2018 after handing over the final funds raised I was given the opportunity to change that. It was an offer I simply couldn't refuse!

Hils' story is a life-long one with a direct link to what Action For Children do, both nationally and locally in North Devon via the North Devon Children's Centre in Barnstaple where all the funds we raise will go.   

So...Hils' story goes something like this (for those who haven't read it already)...

For as long as I can remember, every year as a child I watched the London Marathon with my dad. We were always in awe of the people dressed as giraffes, Daleks & other random characters! The tears, the jelly legs, the determination. The distance seemed like such a long way as an 8 year old and now it's dawned on me that actually...bugger, it is a long way!

Some people know that I didn't exactly have the best start in life. When we grow up our earliest childhood memories should be of fun & exciting times full of love and security. Those are not the memories I and so many other adults have. Words like fear, insecurity, instability and dread are more in line with what I remember...memories I would rather forget.

I was taken into care at the age of 5 and I had my fair share of new 'families' where I never really fitted in or felt I belonged. Then, when I was 7, I was placed with yet another family, an emergency foster family...but this time they had found me a couple who actually seemed to want me around and sure enough they showed their love for me by deciding to love me forever, no matter what and adopted me at the age of 8 and a bit! Auntie Elsie and Uncle Guy, were now my forever Mum and Dad. At last, even though I lacked confidence and was painfully shy, my life was wonderful. I had found safety and was able to just simply grow up like a child should and throughout my teens and into adulthood I watched the marathon with my dad without fail.

At 24, my life changed again. My dad, the first man to show me real unconditional love, safety & discipline without the need for physical or mental abuse lost his fight to cancer. This devastated me and I was for a time once again lost but I slowly rebuilt my life and I now have a 9 year old son, my only known blood relative, a fiancé & extended family of my own who I all adore. Despite this, I will always struggle with wondering if I'm good enough, with rejection, anxiety & 'fitting in' as the damage was cast at such an early age. But...I class myself as one of the lucky ones...the ones who were rescued and given another chance. Many children will, without help, never have anyone to turn to, no safe place. That is where Action for Children come in. They help these kids to rebuild their lives and start again. They can't fix the problems caused by their past but they can give them a fighting chance at a decent 'normal' life that every child has the right 

I've  decided to run London again as I feel there's 'unfinished business' what with 2018 being the hottest on record, and at the very least complete this crazy arse event again, selfishly for me, to prove that I am good enough and for all the kids out there who are struggling with their young lives. I am also running for my mum & my late dad who I ritually sat with on a Sunday watching the thousands of runners do their thing for their various causes & charities, many with personal stories like mine. I will also love to share this journey with the man that kept me company on many of my long training runs last time, and for him to share the experience, and of course to experience just how bloody tough it is! ;-)

So here’s the begging bit.....
Please give what you can, not for me but for the thousands of kids who need love & a safe place in the knowledge that everyone can be lovable. No amount is too small. Thank you and blimmin' well done if you read this far! :-)

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