In October, I'll be running my first Marathon and raising money for Rowan, a charity which means a lot to me.

In 2002, my younger sister was born with cerebral palsy due to a traumatic birth. She was resuscitated after a complicated emergency caesarean, after which, doctors told our family that she would be unlikely to ever walk or talk. 24 years later, she is one of the most active and articulate people I know, and she brings joy to everyone who is lucky enough to know her.

Eloise has always been the most sociable in our family, and as she has found her passions in football, piano, cooking, animal care, LEGO, and martial arts, she has also chanelled my Mum's love for art, music and creativity.

Once a week for the past 4 years, Elo has expressed this creativity at Rowan. Rowan is a small, vibrant, independent, registered charity which provides an arts centre and forest school for adults with learning disabilities in Cambridgeshire, all from a small building on the street where I grew up.

Since 1984 Rowan has provided a safe, creative, enriching and welcoming environment where the arts are used as a tool to bring people together, tackle social exclusion whilst developing skills and potential and improving happiness, health and wellbeing. Elo loves her days there, and she and I take part in their quiz nights together whenver we can! They also put on student shows featuring music and drama, which have Elo grow in confidence and feel comfortable expressing herself.

This time last year, I had never run more than 5k, so the idea of a marathon is as exciting as it is daunting. Elo will hopefully be there to cheer me on, and if you are able to do the same by donating to this deserving cause, my sore legs and I will be extremely grateful!

I'll be running and training with my brilliant friend Amber, who is also fundraising for an amazing cause. Please check out her page here! https://www.justgiving.com/page/amber-johnson-1?utm_source=JG_leaderboard&utm_medium=JG_leaderboard_page&utm_campaign=JG_leaderboard

Thank you,

Iz x