Like the Royal Navy adverts say, if you can run a half-marathon, you can run a full marathon. And that’s what I’m now training for: the London Marathon. Last year’s edition of the Marathon raised a fantastic £73.5 million for charity, showcasing the power of this event not just as a race but as a platform for making a difference.

As I lace up my running shoes (and my skates), I’m proud to support DELTA as my chosen charity. DELTA (or Deaf Education through Listening and Talking) have been a huge presence through my life, from giving my parents the information they desperately needed at the Winchester summer school when I was 18 months old, to putting me in touch with audiologists who helped me with the assistive technology that comes with my cochlear implants. Did you know the newest generations of hearing devices come with Bluetooth connections? It’s been an absolute game changer with phone calls and listening to Spotify.

DELTA were there for my family after my initial diagnosis at 14 months, helping bridge the gap between the audiologists at the University Hospital of Wales, local Teachers of the Deaf and other hearing professionals, offering my parents answers to the questions they didn’t know they had.

In my own way of giving back, I’ve volunteered whenever possible to help DELTA continue its vital work. Supporting this charity allows me to express my gratitude for the resources and opportunities it has provided me, and I hope my efforts can make a difference for others facing similar challenges. Every step I take in the Marathon is dedicated not just to my journey, but to those who stand to benefit from DELTA’s amazing support.

Cardiff Half-Marathon (October 2024) - photo credit to Robert Gale