My dad was an author, poet, and a true storyteller. My sister and I were fortunate to grow up surrounded by books, both big and small, thanks to him. From a young age, we were lucky to have him read to us, and we’ll forever be grateful for the early lessons in reading that allowed us to enjoy the countless marvelous stories out there. One of our favorites was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

In addition to being a wonderful father, my dad volunteered at our local school when we were in the infant and junior years, often coming in to read to our class. Throughout his life, he also joined various writing groups, nurturing his passion for storytelling.

Sadly, my dad passed away last year. No words can really discribe how much i miss him right now, So I’ve been looking for ways to honor his memory, and this year, I’ve decided to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon for charity. I’ve wanted to take part in this race for a few years, but the timing never worked out until now.

As I went through the list of charities for this event, The Doorstep Library stood out to me. Given my own story and upbringing, it felt like the perfect cause to support. My dad instilled in me a love of reading, and I want to give that same gift to other children—helping them start reading at a young age and giving them the freedom to explore stories of their own.

On October 12, 2025, I will be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon, along with six other supporters of this incredible charity. I am proud to raise funds for The Doorstep Library, and I hope my efforts can help bring the joy of reading to more children in need.

About Doorstep Library

Doorstep Library is a reading charity for children, dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children who need our support. With one in four 11-year-olds leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train in-person and online reading volunteers to go into disadvantaged areas of London and beyond to help introduce young children (aged 0-11 years) to the pleasure and benefits of reading.

Our work is concentrated in areas where we know opportunities for reading are restricted – there may be limited access to books in the home or language barriers may be preventing parents or carers from being able to provide additional reading support to the children in their care.

Equipped with a reading stool and a backpack brimming with books, our volunteers are right there ready to help and inspire. Our unique home-based service, whether in person or online, enables us to find the most appropriate books for every child we visit and build a relationship with the whole family.  We use books to fuel children’s natural love of stories, fire their imaginations, and encourage their appreciation of reading.

Our goal is to help children develop the self-confidence and essential skills they need to access all the opportunities that will come their way in life. We also empower parents/carers to create and maintain a supportive reading environment. Our projects not only improve literacy but also increase family wellbeing and bonding. Our tailored service enables us to help prepare children for school and broaden their opportunities in later life.

Our impact is long-lasting. For us, the ‘happy ever after’ is when we know the power of literacy and the joy of reading are helping a child change their own story for good. Every story shared is a story changed.

Registered Charity Number 1158197