On October 4th I’ll be taking on the challenge of running my very first half marathon to raise money for the Samantha Sykes Foundation, a charity that supports young people who are at high risk of, or have been affected by, sexual exploitation.

This cause means more to me than I can put into words. As a young person, I was sexually groomed online, and although that experience has stayed with me, it has also made me passionate about helping to protect others from going though the same thing. Samantha Sykes and her friend Kimberley Frank tragically had their lives, taken at just 18. Samantha was selflessly trying to protect and care for her two friends, young people who were meant to be protected by the authorities but were instead in desperate need of support, love and would’ve massively benefited from the work of this charity.

The Samantha Sykes Foundation helps give children an equal chance in life no matter their circumstances. They support young people who are victims of, or high risk of, sexual exploitation and abuse, and they help young people in the care system through educational support and mentoring. They also support looked-after children and care leavers, up to and including age 25, to access further and higher education, through things such as books, laptops, travel passes and equipment that help young people achieve their full potential and helps inspire them to believe in their own self worth ,despite challenging circumstances.

A deeply troubling issue facing care leavers is the vulnerability to Child Sexual Abuse (CSE). While the link between care experience and sexual exploitation or violence isn’t direct,the facts show that CSE is closely associated with the experiences of care-experienced individuals. Factors like instability, a lack of belonging, frequent placement moves, and feelings unsafe within the care system contribute to this vulnerability for looked-after children and care leavers.

By running my first ever half marathon, I hope to do my small part in supporting the incredible work of the Samantha Sykes Foundation. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help them continue to provide vital support, education, and advocacy for vulnerable young people.

If you're able to donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support isn't just helping me reach the finish line—it's helping protect, empower, and give hope to those who need it most.