This next 3 weeks, inspired by my recent trip to Canada, I'm taking on the Banff Virtual Challenge for the charity I work for, Ivison Trust. This challenge involves walking 52 miles (84km). I'll be using the Conquerors Challenge Virtual App which will map my progress as I walk the route to Banff and sharing my progress here as I go.

As a charity we work with parents and carers of children who are being sexually or criminally exploited. We provide specialist support to parents to increase the safety of their child, guidance and training to professionals in the police, education, social care and the NHS on child sexual exploitation, modern slavery, human trafficking and the criminalisation of exploited children.

Young people’s exposure to threats outside the home from involvement in gangs and county lines is on the increase. Over 40,000 children a year in the UK face threats outside the home and the police have recorded an 83% rise in online grooming crimes over the past 5 years, with 1 in 4 targeted at primary school children. (NSPCC 2023)

Every penny you donate will go towards supporting parents and carers who are going through the devastating and life-changing experience of their child being exploited. As a small charity every penny really does make a huge impact.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you for your support.