Welcome to my fundraising page! Thank you so much for clicking through :)

I am running the Sheffield Half Marathon on 7th April, and I would like to use this as an opportunity to raise money for charities that support care leavers (care-experienced people).

I have never run a half marathon before, with my longest official race to date being the Sheffield 10k (pictured!)

The charities I am fundraising for have been chosen by the care-experienced community. These are:

The Care Leavers Association (CLA) - a national user-led charity that brings together the voices and experiences of care leavers to support care leavers of all ages, improve the current care system and change for the better society’s perception of people in care.

Siblings Together – who provide opportunities for planned, enjoyable, creative and high-quality contact for siblings who are living apart in foster care, kinship care, residential care or adoption.

The care-experienced community wanted to see funds raised for these charities due to being helped by them in the past, and/or strongly supporting the charities’ aims, missions and ways of working. There are of course so many fantastic charities out there that support care leavers, and I plan to raise money for more in future events.

Please consider sponsoring me to run the Sheffield Half Marathon to raise money for these fantastic charities.

Why care-experienced people?

I have a deep investment in supporting those who have experienced care due to my personal history. My personal and professional activities focused on improving systems and opportunities for those who have experienced care. In my day job as an academic, I undertake research focused on improving the lives of those who have experienced the care system as children, and work to amplify the voices of care-experienced people. Outside of this, I volunteer as an Independent Visitor supporting children in care with my local council.

Why running?

Because it’s a challenge - I am not one of those people who are naturally gifted at running!

I started running in late 2020 with the NHS ‘couch to 5k’ programme as part of my recovery from major reconstructive foot surgery which I had to correct deformities caused by a bone condition. Until this surgery, running was not physically possible for me.

I spent around two years learning how to run effectively on my ‘new’ foot, building up my strength and my cardio to enable me to start confidently running with others. I joined a running club in late 2022, and began participating in weekly park runs since 2023. In September 2023, I completed the Sheffield 10k which was my first organised race. My next big challenge is the Sheffield Half Marathon.

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this fundraising effort to Sally Tomlinson.

Sally was an Independent Visitor Coordinator at Sheffield City Council who sadly passed away from breast cancer in January 2024. Sally spent her life working with and supporting countless children in care, from working in residential homes to later working with the Independent Visitors scheme. She always put children and young people’s needs first – always willing to change ways of doing things to accommodate their wants and needs without question. Sally was one of the most authentic, warm, and enthusiastic people I have had the pleasure of knowing and had an amazing way of connecting with people through her strong sense of empathy. She was full of life, strength, and radiated positivity and warmth.