Red Balloon has made me wake up at 7am every day and come into school, instead of sitting at home doing nothing. Some of us have been out of school for two years, bored, getting into trouble, having arguments with my family, hiding from the people I used to know. Some people at my old school even started a rumour that I had died! I had no hope for the future at all. I thought I was going to be homeless when I was older because what could I actually do?

Now I actually like maths! Red Balloon has made me meet friends. I love having the dogs around in school. I no longer feel like I'm stupid. Six months ago I wouldn't have imagined I'd be here with friends and a future.

Hardly any of us have done much running before, apart from sports day races. Lots of us have done basically nothing for a year, so this is going to be a big challenge. We’re hoping to raise funds to make some more therapy spaces at school. Can you help us raise more than the teachers? Thank you!