I’m an English teacher living in Germany, and this October I’m running my first ever 10K at the Munich Marathon, for Room to Read.

I’ve spent my career watching what happens when a kid finally “gets” reading, that moment a book stops being a chore and becomes a door. I also have a daughter, and it’s impossible not to think about how much of her world will be shaped by whether she has access to books, and by who believes she can learn. I’m fundraising for Room to Read because I believe that world change starts with educated children.

Room to Read envisions a world in which all children can pursue a quality education that enables them to reach their full potential and contribute to their communities and the world. By focusing on literacy and gender equality in education, they transform the lives of millions of children in low-income communities. Working with local communities, partner organizations and governments, they help primary school children build literacy skills and a habit of reading, and support girls to complete secondary school with the life skills to succeed beyond it. It’s about as close to my daily work and my home life as a charity gets.

Full disclosure: I’m not a runner. I’m about 8-10kg overweight, I’ve never done a 10K, and training starts from close to zero. But that’s kind of the point. If I can get myself around 10 kilometres through sheer stubbornness, the least I can do is make it count for something bigger than my own knees.

Your donation to my page is an investment in children’s futures. Thank you for your support, and for reading this far. Now sponsor a slow but determined English teacher.