What I'm doing: 

I'm running a 10k leg of the Vitality Big Half Marathon March 2019 to raise money for the fantastic organisation that is Heart n Soul! I've never run competitively before so this will be tough, and far from pretty, but I'm looking forward to raising money for this fantastic cause. 

Any donations you are willing and able to make - even if it's only a couple of pounds - will stack up to make a profound difference, and be really appreciated. 

I am also hosting a pub quiz at the MeltDown Bar, courtesy of some wonderful people there who have helped me organise the event! Link to the facebook invite is below - I hope to see you all there! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/393222474788732/ 


Why it matters: 

The work that Heart n Soul does is fantastic in its own right and resonates with me on a personal level. My older sister was diagnosed with autism aged five and as such, I've seen how hard it can be for people with autism to achieve a sense of belonging and acceptance from main stream schooling and activities. 

Heart n Soul aims to address this. Their vision is to make the world an open, equal and creative space for people with a range of disabilities. I see this vision play out in reality at their monthly Do Your Own Things sessions where participants aged 10-25 are able to try new things - radio production, arts, music, videos, DJing and much more. It's a simple concept with profound consequences - acceptance and expression for people who are often denied it. 

It is also an invaluable network of support for family members and other caregivers who may otherwise feel alone. 

Where your money will go: 

At the moment, the Do Your Own Thing sessions that Heart n Soul are at full capacity - no more participants and carers are able to make use of this fantastic service. The money raised from this Big Half Relay will go towards extending this service and funding many others.

For more details about Heart n Soul, including ongoing and future projects, visit their main site here:

http://www.heartnsoul.co.uk/