Since 2017 I have run the Great North Run each year (virtually
last year!) and have fundraised for Cleaswell Hill School, a charity near my home town in Northumberland, which is a community school for children aged 4-18 with physical difficulties, medical or emotional needs, and others identified as being within the autistic spectrum. 

On a personal level it provides support to my cousin’s son Paddy and the rest of our family. Paddy, who is now 8, was diagnosed with autism just before his third birthday. He was later also diagnosed with a learning disability aged 5. Paddy has complex communication
needs and is non-verbal. He struggles with understanding simple
instructions and has no sense of danger.

It’s fair to say that training and preparation has been a challenge itself this year with work, catching covid, children and dogs taking up a lot of my time but I am committed to getting to the finish line!