In 2014 our lives were changed forever when Logan came to join us. The road to Logan joining us was not as quick, as you can imagine. We spent nearly a whole year with monthly interviews with our amazing Barnardos Social Worker. We spent the next year finding the right child to join our family. Towards the end of the year a little face jumped out of the Children Who Wait book and Barnardos held our hand, advised and walked with us through visits, interviews, panels and then introductions and settling into our family home. While the journey over the last 11 years has not always been easy for all of us, we are so thankful for the amazing support we received from Barnardos through the whole process.

Anyone who knows me just a little bit, will know I am a fairly regular jogger. In fact I have been jogging since 1992 when I needed to prepare for the Upward Bound Course I attended in Austria that Summer. In 2018 I started Park Run which happens each Saturday across our country as hundreds of runners do a 5k run in a local park. Park Run was revolution for me even if my times aren’t that great.

For many years I have talked, talked and talked about doing the London Marathon. I even tried to get in by normal ballot a few years ago and did not get a place. But over the past few years I thought about getting a sponsored place with Barnardos. I even tried last year but again did not get a place. So I tried again this year and I have a place! I understand this year 840,000 people applied for only 53,000 places! I join about another 180 who are running for Barnardos. So I ask you to consider sponsoring me for as little or as much as you can. Your sponsorship will get me out on cold mornings and evenings and help raise funds for an amazing organization who help transform the lives of many young people up and down our county.

Love to you all

Andrew

Barnardo's helps hundreds of thousands of children, young people, parents and carers across the UK. They don't abandon children because of who they are or what they've done. They listen to them, fight for their rights and do whatever it takes to protect and support them because they believe that all children have the right to a happy and healthy life. At a time when more young people need specialist help with complex issues like sexual abuse, mental health problems and serious violence, their work is more vital than ever.