When I was going through my darkest times in 2008, running helped me heal, and rebuild myself. Running now is my way to spend time with myself, create clarity in my head and create peace in my soul. To pay running back for what its given me, I am now fulfilling a huge ambition to run the New York Marathon 2024.

I wanted to challenge myself and decided to run my first marathon. I always said that if I only ran one marathon, I wanted it to be in New York. Also, I wanted to raise money for a cause which made a real difference.

Yogamission gives opportunities to orphaned children, children from physically abused mothers and children off the streets, who would otherwise not get an education. Based in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), one of the poorest states in India, the children get three meals a day, all the basics PLUS spiritual instruction, including yoga. The teachers are all local, and some of them were former students.

Divya, the founder of the school operates on a shoe string budget and has to make up a considerable percentage each month to keep the school going and give these 100+ kids a chance to change their lives. Every single penny of your donation will go towards bettering the standards for the children.

Having spoken to Divya, I knew that this was the right project to support. I will also book some time to go and visit the children to see how your generous support is making a difference.