As most of my family and friends know, I've stammered all my life. What you probably don't know is how physically and mentally draining it is for most days of my life. It is my normality. Approximately 5% of children stammer, some grow of out of it naturally and others need organisations like the MPC to support and help them navigate through their future lives. The exact cause of stammering is unknown but it is neurological, probably inherited, and stress/anxiety can make it worse although, in my cause, it can improve my speech. Tips if you meet a person who stammers - give them time (try not to say 'take your time'), give soft, natural eye contact (not staring) and please don't finish sentences (it's humiliating and you might pick the wrong words).

So far I've run Galway Resolution 5k Run, Shannon 8k, Connemara Half Marathon, Galway 5k Series (6 races), Birmingham Half Marathon, Garioch Half Marathon, Delphi Half Marathon, Portumna Half Marathon, Caltra 10k, Abbeyknockmoy Half Marathon, Kilkee Half Marathon, Streets of Galway 8k, Scottish Half Marathon, Fleetwood half marathon, Great North Run, Dublin Half Marathon. To come, Loughrea 10k, Goulburn 10k (Australia) and Dublin Marathon. 2 more to book!

Every pound donated by people like you helps fund the therapy that the MPC provide, our free helpline so those who need advice can talk to a specialist therapist; training for therapists so we can reach more children who stammer and research to underpin all we do and improve future care. We couldn’t do what we do without kind people like you. You are helping empower children, young people and adults who stammer to communicate with confidence, giving hope where it’s needed most.

(Any gifts made in support of the Michael Palin Centre are placed into the Restricted Michael Palin Centre Fund. These funds are legally ringfenced and can only be used by the Centre. The Whittington health charity acts as a channel for funds and any associated gift aid.)