For the last three years I've worked for Crisis, supporting those who are homeless, or are experiencing homelessness. 

Last month I was offered a fantastic opportunity to go and work as a specialist therapist in an autism unit, 15 minutes from my home and my kids. It was a properly tough decision to make but I'll be leaving Crisis in July. Before I go I'd like to do my best to raise a bit of cash for this frickin awesome charity. I love Crisis, what we do to support our members and what we do to support each other.

I'm going to run 10k for Crisis. I'll do this no bother. So rather than turn it into a big challenge I'm going to run 1k for things and folks that have mean a lot to me and my time at Crisis.

Kilometre 1 -  I'm going to run for my manager Michelle Kielty. She is by far and away the best thing about working at Crisis for me. She's nurtured me, held me up when things have gotten me down, challenged me, pushed me, had a laugh with me and given me the autonomy to create a cracking niche in our team at Crisis South Yorkshire. I will be gutted to step away from her support.

Kilometre 2 - I'm running this for Tom Lewis and the Peak District Park Rangers. Tom and I have created an awesome outdoors programme for our members and built up a strong partnership (and friendship over the last three years). 

Kilometre 3 - my progression coach teammates - Sarah, Dave and Ryan. They all mean so much to me. We make a great team and always have each other's backs. And we are united in taking the piss out of Ryan, an important aspect of our daily work ethic.

Kilometre 4 - this one is for Crisis Skylight South Yorkshire and all my teammates there. I frickin love being part of the team. All of us are in it to end homelessness together (although no-one will run with me!). I've laughed and cried with these folks over the last three years and thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone. From taking my shirt off in front of our Director at interview to photographing Kel's ass when she stacked it in a bog in the Peak District, it's been a blast.

Kilometre 5 - I'm running this one for our top man, Matt Downie. One of the things I love about Crisis is how accessible everyone is. A cheeky wee email to Matt and he came and joined us and our members on a walk into the Peaks in one of his first weeks in role. He really cares about those experiencing homelessness and ending it, and this is a great place to lead from!

Kilometre 6 - This one is for the Complex Lives team in Doncaster. I got my first real experience of what it's like to be sleeping rough when I joined the outreach team on their walks checking on those who are sleeping in the streets. Saddening and maddening. 

Kilometre 7 - This is for B, D, A and A my members who first completed their John Muir Award on the walks we do in the Peak District. The growth in their self-esteem and confidence through this program (and from all the other support from Crisis) I was fortunate to watch was amazing. 

Kilometre 8 - This is for Rebecca Browes (housing advice at Crisis). My family and I have had our own homelessness journey this year, and it's been brutal. Rebecca gave me the knowledge and support I needed to keep the practical things going when all I wanted to do was run from it. She weaponised me, thankfully I didn't need to get the gloves on.

Kilometre 9 - This is for all the members I've met through my time here and for all those who have experienced homelessness at some point. It's frickin horrible living in a constant state of anxiety and fear. I know there are good people out there who will sit on the phone to councils for hours waiting to negotiate the system on behalf of those who are unable to deal with that process for whatever reason. Supporting and empowering our members to live independently and sustainably in their own places has been the biggest privilege whilst working here.

Kilometre 10 - this last kilometre is for you dear sponsorer. 
Your money helps us campaign for changes in the law and to work alongside governments to rewrite homelessness policies.
By sponsoring me we are able help pay deposits (how many folks do you know have enough money for a deposit and a months rent upfront?) or buy some carpets or white goods to make a new house feel like a home rather than a shell. 
Your money enables Crisis to fund posts like mine and my colleagues where we can work alongside our members and councils to access social housing, we can offer budget support and build confidence in our members. We can help build the foundations of community to ensure long term sustainment for them in their area. We  can help upskill them in many things and signpost them to colleagues where they can learn cooking, gardening, IT skills, DIY, how to rent sustainably, arts and crafts, reading, writing, all the things that make a whole life, not just a house.

So, yeah, gies yer cash. It's for a great cause.I promise you.

Thanks Crisis, it's been awesome.