Hi!

Thank you for coming to read, I’m Jaypal and the mission is simply this - raise as much money as possible for ReachOut with no upper limit because why not?! That’s it. 😊

I’m looking to use my voice and platform to put good in the world. I’m just a regular geezer who feels blessed to be in a position to be able to give back, and I am proud to carry this responsibility.

My story:

It was the evening 20th July 2021, playing 7 a-side football as I had been for the previous 15+ years and a life changing injury… ACL – SNAPPED, Meniscus – SHREDDED, Patella Tendon – SNAPPED, MCL – SNAPPED (partially).

I didn’t know then but all of the things that I took for granted were now not that easy for me. It has been a struggle, both physically and mentally. Prior to this I would run regular 5km, 10km, tough mudders, play football twice a week etc. Plus I never had to consider the weather and what impact it’s going to have on my knee and wouldn’t think twice when ‘pivoting’ on the dance floor 😅! LONG!

Anyway, that’s old news, it’s been 3 and a half years… and 3 surgeries later, I want to achieve something and give back and the organisation I have chosen to support is ⭐️ReachOut⭐️.

Why ReachOut?

ReachOut is a strategic partner for schools. They build socio-emotional skills that transform outcomes for 9 –14 year olds. They define these skills as empathy, responsibility, problem solving, initiative, teamwork and emotion management.

They exist because not all children have the opportunity to just ‘pick up’ socio-emotional skills. The 9 -14 age bracket is an especially crucial juncture in childhood development, so they focus their efforts on helping children in this range, especially those constrained by circumstance.

I’m now 37, and having grown up in West London, I understand this deeply. I vividly remember being 14. I’ve witnessed struggle, crime, and poverty firsthand. As an adult, I recognise my responsibility to be part of the change and to support those who uplift the youth of this country. We all know life isn’t fair, not everyone has the same level playing field and it’s our duty to give them a fighting chance.

Here is Bhavin’s story, now Operations Officer at ReachOut:

“Most days, I wanted to run away from the estate where I grew up. My name’s Bhavin, and I’m ReachOut’s Operations Officer, but 15 years ago, I was a ReachOut mentee and a young kid growing up in Hackney.

Everywhere on our estate there was the temptation of drugs. I didn’t want to be there, and all of my friends felt the same way. I got into fights at school, couldn’t focus on my work, skipped class and felt like a failure.

One day, I came home from school and my mum told me she’d received a letter from my head teacher. I’d been chosen as one of ten boys in my school to visit a male prison because I was at risk of being expelled. 3 of those boys would later end up in that prison for selling drugs.

After that visit, I was also chosen as part of a group for something very different. My teacher referred me to ReachOut, and I met my mentor, Nick. Nick wasn’t a teacher, a friend or a family member, but he was there for me, every Wednesday, after school.

He helped me with my homework and gave me coping mechanisms to help vent my frustrations. My confidence soared and, for the first time in a long time, I felt motivated.

I passed my GCSEs, stayed on in the sixth form, achieved my A Levels and secured a place at university. I got my degree in Finance and went on to get a Masters in Risk Management and Assurance.

I owe so much to Nick, and to ReachOut – I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. And now, as ReachOut’s Operations Officer, I can help other young people who need that same support and intervention."

That is my why.

Running a half-marathon is no easy feat but with your support and donations – you can be part of the mission and the more kids we will be able to reach and make a difference.

My promise is this:

I am going to earn every single donation, through discipline, hard work and dedication and I’d like this to reach far and wide and shamelessly ask for your contribution.

If you’d like you can follow my journey here – https://www.instagram.com/jaypal.reachout?igsh=MXZmeTV2bG5paGVtMg==

What to expect:

- Fun

- Fails

- Some absolute tunes

- Statistics

- Hard work

Thanks for reading, and if you’re able to donate (no matter the size), that’d be awesome! 😊