I’m going to be running the Southampton half marathon April 2024.

I finished the couch to 5K programme April 2023 & have been since running to try & maintain some control of my health. Living with chronic health issues means it’s been challenging but it’s also been very rewarding.

I completed a 10K race last year & in February this year . These were such an achievement for me as it was something a year ago, when I started couch to 5K February 2023 I’d never thought I’d be able to do. Every run I do is still hard but it’s also very rewarding.

Therefore I want to challenge myself even further & push my body to its limits. A half marathon seemed the best next step ! With a body so unpredictable, even with all the training this will likely be the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done.

I also injured my foot playing netball at the end of February which has meant three weeks off training . Still recovering & only three weeks to go till race now but determined to do this & will be so much more rewarding 💪🏻

I wanted to do this for myself, but I also want to give myself that extra motivation by raising money for a good cause. As someone who spent a lot of their childhood in care, I wanted to raise money for something that would make a positive impact on those who are care experienced.

I reached out on social media and came across the charity “siblings together”. This charity reunites siblings who are in care, and care leavers, and provides the valuable time together through things such as activities and retreats. Sadly many siblings in care can’t be together & often live miles apart, sometimes leading to a severing of these important relationships. This charity helps to nurture this important bond, helping children to maintain life long relationships with their siblings. As someone who was in care, and away from my own brother, I know first hand the impact this separation can have and I think it would have been great if we’d had the opportunity to spend quality time together like this charity offers (yes the picture is of us many years ago 😅).

For further information you can check out the siblings together website to see all the great work they do 😊