Anyone who knows me well knows I’m not a runner. I mean, I run occasionally - usually away from things: deadlines, difficult conversations, the relentless weight of the news cycle. But this October 11, 2026, I’ll be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for War Child x Royal Parks Half 2026.

This isn’t a political post. I’m not here to debate geopolitics or take sides. But if you’ve had a smartphone and a conscience over recent years, you’ll understand what I mean when I say that some of the images and stories that have arrived uninvited on my screen - children caught in conflicts so brutal it’s almost unimaginable - have changed me deeply. Sitting with my own children asleep upstairs, I’ve often felt helpless and heartbroken by what these young lives endure through absolutely no fault of their own.

What is happening to children around the world right now is unbearable to witness and yet most of us do sit with it quietly because what else can we do? Well, apparently we can run 13.1 miles around one of London’s most beautiful parks and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

War Child is an extraordinary organisation that acts swiftly when conflict erupts but crucially stays long after the headlines fade and the world looks away. That last part matters to me more than I can say and it’s something that I find unbearably sad - the abandonment that follows the initial horror is its own kind of cruelty.

I’m no doctor or diplomat, but I reckon I can run this marathon and help make a difference. It’s genuinely the least I can do to support children whose lives have been shattered by conflict.

My fundraising target is £1,500. Every contribution (ideally big, but small will do) means so much to me and will go directly towards helping War Child provide vital support where it’s needed most.

Please join me in making a real impact by donating today. Together, we can bring some hope and healing to children who need it more than ever.