I'm fundraising for The Hollow Lane Club, a specialist charity provider of activity clubs for children and young people with complex disabilities in Devon, which our daughter Lucy has attended for over 4 years.

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As soon as we began looking for fun and enriching holiday childcare for Lucy back in 2021/22, once she'd started school, we quickly realised that children with physical, learning, social and communication support needs like hers are largely excluded from mainstream kids' clubs and activities. The way these clubs are set up simply wouldn't enable her to participate, stay safe, and actually have a good time. This was in stark contrast to our experience with Lucy's older brother Theo. We'd always had a wealth of options to choose from when booking him into clubs, with a myriad of providers catering for just about every interest he's ever had - from water sports to theatre camps. It's unfair, and it's the reality most parents with a disabled child encounter.

So places like Hollow Lane are truly special, and a real lifeline for families like ours - they offer a wide variety of inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable activities in a safe environment with lovely, caring playworkers. Over the years, Lucy's been able to participate in music and art workshops, swimming, storytelling sessions, visits from entertainers, animal handling, crafts, visits to attractions and the beach, etc. We are incredibly lucky to be able to send Lucy to the Hollow Lane Club, know that she's having a brilliant time, and that she's having experiences we might struggle to find or provide for her in any other way. It also gives our family a bit of a break from caring responsibilities, allows us to work, and to spend some one-on-one time with Theo.

The cost of providing this kind of care and activities is high. Staffing needs are much greater than mainstream providers face. A day for Lucy at Hollow Lane Club costs twice as much as the average day at a club for Theo, despite Hollow Lane's fees being heavily subsidised. The charity is primarily funded by the National Lottery and Children In Need, but this funding is looking uncertain in future, so more than ever they will need the support of individuals and local businesses so that they can keep providing fantastic activities for disabled kids.

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I'm running my first *ever* half marathon and as someone who is absolutely not a natural athlete, this is a huge challenge for me. I'm grateful for any support you can show me, and the brilliant Hollow Lane Club.

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