Last year in a moment of madness, one of my very best friends and I decided to take on what we thought was the ultimate challenge; the Leeds Half Marathon.  As these things often are, entry was a result of a whim; fitness, post lock-down freedom, & above all else, to satisfy that competitive spirit that those who know me well, know lurks within!

Having assured myself 'never again', as I was making the 13 mile dash to the burger and (very large) glass of Sauvignon Blanc beckoning at the finishing tape (okay; the tape had long gone by the time I got there), something clicked...  I love running!  As the isontonic & cooling properties of my very well deserved wine took effect, I decided I'd be back for another half in 2023 (marathon, not bottle you judgy lot!); back better, back stronger, & back faster.

Well 2023, I see you and I raise you!  As 13 is an unlucky number for some, let's make that 26!  Over the past months, I've teamed up with the local 'Pool Runnings' group (who have been absolutely brilliant) whilst chanelling my inner Forest Gump; training like Rocky for the Leeds Marathon.  

For those that run, you'll appreciate with hills, valleys, and steep climbs a-plenty, Leeds is far from a walk in the park. And speaking of walks in the park, that's probably something I won't be able to do for some days after this madness.  

Therefore, I'll be tapping in to my innermost determination, grit, steel, and above all else, the bloody good cause I'll be representing; Pool Pre-School.

I speak for most when I say we'd do anything to give our kids the best possible start in life.  With recently announced additional (and urgently needed) financial support for parents struggling with childcare costs, pre-school services are a hot topic right now.

However, allocated funding for early years care is woefully inadequate and often leaves providers struggling to make ends meet; exasperated by the cost of living crisis as it heaps pressures on both the business & staff alike.

Pool Pre-School is a special place; somewhere that myself & Tom entrusted the care of our children with.  

Run by a small team of talented individuals who care for and love the children as  they would for their own, they really go above & beyond when it comes to giving kids that 'best possible start in life'.  

They're unsung heroes working in a notoriously under-paid sector; motivated by the love of what they do.

Like many other pre-schools, it's a registered charity; often relying on fund-raising events for the improvements that they'd love to make.  Whilst there's no substitute for the care, love and happiness kids are shown here, I'd like to help PPS take things to the next level and realise their ambition to build a new outdoor play area; an aspiration that's well beyond their means without support like this.  

If you can spare a few £s, I'd be so grateful as it may just help me get up those hills & to that much anticipated glass of 'something cool' that awaits at the finishing line!