It’s a privilege to be running the Hackney Half Marathon on 17 May to raise £10,000 for Turn2us.

Turn2us helps millions of us across the four nations of the UK to access the financial support for which we are eligible - support that too often goes unclaimed because our welfare system can be complex, stigmatised, and hard to navigate - particularly when life is already difficult.

I’m the Chief Executive of Turn2us, and I’ve spent years championing this work professionally. Over the past couple of months, I’ve also come to understand its importance personally.

In February, my husband became seriously unwell with chronic kidney disease. Overnight we lost his income and now face new costs—heating that must stay on, journeys that can no longer be managed with public transport. Like so many people in similar circumstances, we’re adjusting while tired, emotional, and balancing caring responsibilities alongside work.

Even with all my knowledge of the social security system, applying for benefits when exhausted is hard. Forms take time. Decisions require energy. Simply starting an application feels overwhelming. I already knew this because people who use Turn2us’s services tell us this, every day. Experiencing it personally has brought it home.

Struggling financially is not a personal failure. Having difficulty navigating the benefits system is not a lack of ability, but it does reflect the stigma that surrounds welfare, and the complexity of a system that too often places the heaviest burden on people at the hardest moments in their lives.

For clarity: my family does not receive support from Turn2us, and donations to this page will not benefit us personally.

Why Turn2us exists

Turn2us supports people throughout the four nations of the UK who face financial insecurity - often because of illness, disability, caring responsibilities, job loss, bereavement, or other sudden changes in circumstance.

Each year, Turn2us:

- Supports around three million people to identify financial support they may be eligible for

- Helps people access benefits worth over £1.2 billion

- Provides trusted information and personalised guidance at moments of real pressure

- Works with government to help make the welfare system more effective and less stigmatising

What makes Turn2us distinctive is its focus on access. Many people are eligible for support but are blocked by complexity, lack of clear information, or fear of stigma. Turn2us bridges that gap - helping people move from eligibility to real‑world help.

At a time when demand for financial support is rising and systems are under strain, the need for clear, independent guidance has never been greater.

Why I’m fundraising

I’m running this race because I believe deeply in this work - and because I’ve experienced first‑hand how essential it is when life takes an unexpected turn.

Some of you can give larger gifts; others will give what they can. Both matter. Each contribution will help to make sure that financial support is accessible, humane, and effective for anyone who needs it.

I’ll be running the Hackney Half on 17 May, and I’d be delighted to reach this target by race day.

Thank you

If you’re able to donate, thank you for helping to make financial support clearer, fairer, and easier to access across the UK. If you’re not in a position to give right now, sharing this page or cheering me on still makes a real difference.

I’ll be running with gratitude, determination, and a clear purpose. Thank you for being part of it.