Vaccinated, educated and protected.

Of all of the aspirations I have for my three kids, the idea that they would be vaccinated, educated and protected is something I take for granted.

Being 5, 8 and 11, most of the time they are also busily wrapped up in their own lives, with school, sports, friends and family but every now and again news breaks through. News of children in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen, news of new classmates from Ukraine and Syria, news in the class room - watching Newsround's coverage of Sudan.

As they get older they are starting to understand more about the huge disparity between their experience, and the lives of kids their age living in unstable and unsafe circumstances, both here and overseas.

Working across 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. In short, UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation.

As the world appears to get more scary, it's tempting to think that there's not a lot we can do as individuals ... as it turns out, there is, and it feels important to remind my kids of that.

I’m proud to be taking part in the 2025 London Marathon and raising money to support UNICEF's vital work for children.

I'm aiming to raise £2,000 which translates to the cost of two tents to create temporary schools or clinics ... or 8 water pumps for a school or community ... or 12,500 polio vaccines. You get the picture.

If you're reading this, you must know me at least a little bit. Presuming that you do, you'll know that I will absolutely run my heart out - for both the 26.2 miles of the marathon itself, and the 500+ miles I'll need to put in in training between now and then. Elodie, Nathaniel and Florence are already getting used to my slipping out ever earlier in my trainers ... one day I might even persuade one of them to come with me for a bit.

Every donation will help to build a better world for every child.

You can find out more about UNICEFs work at unicef.org.uk