I’ve done it once and I’ll do it again… I’m taking part in the 2025 TSC London Marathon! I have entered the ballot every year and been very chill about it, this year I entered knowing I really wanted it, and the running Gods must have heard me because I bagged a ballot place.

Getting a place via the ballot means you aren’t obligated to raise any money, or run for a charity, so no pressure. But, I had already decided if I got a place I would raise money for the National Autistic Society. Why did I choose them, I pretend you ask, well, I’ll tell you…

First, there’s the factual stuff, which is very important… the National Autistic Society, the UK's largest autism charity, supports 700,000 people and their families across the country. They do fantastic work and I would love the neurodiverse community to receive the support they deserve.

Secondly, and the most important reason I think, because I know a very special human being called Mia. She is the most wonderful angel to grace the planet and it’s an honour to be part of her life.

Before I met Mia, I had no understanding of Autism, I was aware of it but I assumed I had never seen it. I’ve got a good understanding of Global Developmental Delay, thanks to a background in psychology and parents who are foster carers, but Autism was just a word to describe people who were different. I have always thought I had a rich life, I had met lots of different people, my mind was open to people. I was blind. When I met Mia, she began to teach me so much about life and existence, she is the happiest child and has the safest world to grow up in because her parents have created that for her and fought for her every single minute of her existence.

It’s not easy for them, they make it look easy, but I can put my hand on my heart and say when it’s a fight, it’s a fight. It’s a fight to be heard, to get Mia what she needs, for Mia to be heard, for her life and experiences to be taken seriously, to get support, the list goes on. Mia’s parents are nothing short of incredible, and because of that, Mia is safe and healthy and happy.

Now multiply that by 700,000, hard to picture just how many families that is who are fighting to be heard and listened to, isn’t it? And that’s adults, imagine being a child and in a lot of cases not being able to fight, or having people able to fight for you. The National Autistic Society are giving those families a chance by providing support and guidance, as well as the work they do campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities.

Whatever you can give will be greatly appreciated by myself, the NAS, and all the families they support. Thank you ❤️

I’ll be updating this page as often as I can and will have a few video updates too. You can follow my training/running journey over on Instagram: @Cescarunsslow