Every year, more than a million older people are physically, emotionally, financially or sexually abused in the UK. At Hourglass, our mission is simple, no older person should be harmed or abused. . Your donations help fund our vital services including our freephone Helpline, community and peer support groups, professional training, awareness raising and campaigning - to support all victims, prevent elder abuse, and improve services across the UK that support older people.

On Saturday, 10 January 2026, I’ll be taking part in the Chilli Flamingo Run — a 5K event hosted by Phoenix Running — to raise awareness and funds for Hourglass (Safer Ageing), the UK’s only charity dedicated to ending the abuse and neglect of older people. I have chosen to run in Surrey to reflect the hard work Hourglass are currently achieving here.

The 16 Days campaign is a global call to action to prevent and eliminate violence in all its forms. For many older people, abuse remains hidden — underreported, misunderstood, and too often ignored. Hourglass works to change that by providing life-saving support through its helpline, policy advocacy, and community programmes that promote safer ageing for everyone.

By running this 5K, I aim to amplify Hourglass’s message: everyone deserves to live free from abuse, regardless of age. Through sponsorships and awareness, I hope to help extend the charity’s reach and resources to those who need them most.

You can support this effort by:

• Sponsoring my run, helping fund Hourglass’s vital services.

• Sharing this message to raise awareness of abuse in later life.

• Following along as I train and run to support safer ageing for all.

Together, during these 16 Days — and beyond — we can take steps toward a world where every person can age safely, with dignity and respect.