It's simple really. The Batemans Trust changes lives.

With a dedicated local team, Batemans provides educational and social support to around 70 disadvantaged children and young people at any one time in Chennai, India. By providing safe accommodation, food, healthcare, education and vocational training, we give them the power to change their lives and those of the people around them. 

Ever since 2006/7, when I spent almost a year in Chennai with my family while my wife Becky volunteered as a teacher, the charity has played a major role in our lives. 

Over the years, we have seen hundreds of young people gaining employment, supporting their families and ending the cycle of poverty for future generations. Without this care, there's every chance that these children and their families will continue to live a life of hardship with few prospects and little hope.

In recent years, two of our children have spent time volunteering at Batemans and it has been wonderful to hear them recount such positive stories about the great work our team is doing in Chennai.

Many people support Batemans by sponsoring children or making regular donations, but we need more income to hit our annual target of around £80,000 a year. So every donation via this page will help.You can find out more about Batemans at www.batemans.org.uk

I ran my first marathon in 2014, so four years on it seems a good idea to try to better my time and raise as much money as possible in the process. Especially as for every pound raised through this appeal, Batemans will also be making a contribution to cancer research. 

Thank you!

Mike Sewell