On 18 October, I’ll be running the York Marathon for Become, the national charity for children in care and young care leavers.

Most of us reach adulthood with a safety net. We might move out, make mistakes, struggle with money or change direction but we know there is usually someone we can call, somewhere we can go, and someone firmly in our corner.

For too many young people leaving care, that safety net simply isn’t there.

At an age when most young people are still relying heavily on their families, care leavers can find themselves expected to navigate housing, finances, education, employment and adulthood largely alone. One in three care-experienced young people becomes homeless within two years of leaving care, and four in ten care leavers aged 19–21 are not in education, employment or training.

Those outcomes are not a reflection of a lack of potential. They reflect how extraordinarily difficult it is to build a secure adult life without the stability and support that so many of us are fortunate enough to take for granted.

Become works alongside care-experienced young people to make sure they are heard, supported and able to access the opportunities they deserve.

Running 26.2 miles will be difficult. But I get to choose this challenge, prepare for it, and know that when I finish I have people there for me.

Young people leaving care don't get to choose the challenges they face.

If you can sponsor me, you’ll be helping Become make sure more young people have someone in their corner as they take their first steps into adult life.