Last year, my dear friend and colleague, Jo Kelly, and I set out to run the Leeds Half Marathon for Macmillan. We initially set out to challenge ourselves and do something good for charity.

In the run up to the event, significant people in both of our lives were diagnosed with incurable cancers. Running has helped me deal with the mental challenges caused by this news, and felt poignant that last year we were able to turn this pain into supporting a positive outcome for others.

This year, we have challenged ourselves to run an actual marathon: Paris, my favourite city in the world and a place so dear to my heart. I have also signed up to run the Berlin marathon in September.

Movember is a charity which is very close to my heart. My family has within the last year been touched by the tragedy of an advanced metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis. Movember also do a lot of excellent work in supporting men's mental health and suicide prevention. Far too many men are affected by these dreadful afflictions. For me, running and exercise are how I keep myself both physically and mentally fit, and I want to be able to use my passion for running to positively impact the lives of others.

As an Assistant Headteacher (and soon to be Headteacher), I think it is really important to nurture the act of charity among the youngest members of our community. I hope that mine and Jo's mission to run the marathons will inspire the children at school to contribute to making a difference and to empower them to make a positive difference even when the days might feel dark and desperate.

When we signed up for our first marathon, one of the Y1 children in our school community was very sadly diagnosed with Leukaemia. I am delighted to share it has since gone into remission. However, we still want to demonstrate our support for Freddie on his journey to a full recovery.

Movember

Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing a health crisis, yet it’s rarely talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent.

We are the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. We know what works for men – and what doesn’t. Prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention – we’re taking them all on.

Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, and shaking up men’s health research.