50at60: Paul's Mission to Education and Young People

UPDATE: Today I completed my 12th 10K this year, at Goodwood. I feel like a winner. Thank you everyone who has cheered me on or donated - together we are helping these amazing charities listed below make a difference and towards system change in education, STEM and music. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I am trying to raise £50,000 in 2025, the year I turn 60, through my own personal giving and hopeful support of friends and the organisations I work with as I undertake various physical challenges. My heart is all about seeing young people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds develop and pursue a passion for science, technology, engineering and maths - as well as music, as there are important life skills the arts can nurture in anyone.

I really believe the charities I am supporting are making a meaningful difference, and I will personally match all donations - the total above includes the donations I have made so far alongside incredibly generous supporters!

Over the last 10 years, I have discovered incredible organisations in the UK that are doing wonderful things to help young people find their way through education and into the world of work. I have been particularly inspired by the following charities:

Big Change (https://www.big-change.org/) nurturing young leaders, and equipping young people for life rather than just exams;

Mission 44 (https://mission44.org/) illuminating pathways into STEM careers for those from diverse backgrounds;

Stemettes (https://stemettes.org/) helping girls and young women to find their way into STEM subjects;

The Benedetti Foundation (https://www.benedettifoundation.org/) providing opportunities for young people to learn music, teaching much more than just how to play an instrument.

And I love to see young people being involved in the strategy conversations and decisions that form these initiatives.

The Challenges:

I aim to run a 10K or cycle a significant distance every month, including participating in the London Winter Run, the Mezza Maratona D'Italia 10K, the gruelling Etape Loch Ness 100KM ride (including a very big hill) and the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton 86KM ride. Watch this space for more challenges!

26 January: Horsham and district 10K run - DONE
23 February: London Winter Run 10K - DONE
30 March: Mezza Maratona D'Italia 10K run - DONE
17 April: Sussex Countryside 10K run - DONE
27 April: Etape Loch Ness 105K ride - DONE
8 May: Central Park NY 10K - DONE
15 June: London to Brighton 85K Ride - DONE
30 June: Central Park NY 10K walk (unable to run due to leg injury!) - DONE
27 July: Horsham 10K - DONE
2 September: Slightly-delayed 10K in the Italian countryside - DONE
27 September: 10K hike over Helvellyn in the Lake District, with 750m of climbing - DONE
28 September: London Vitality 10,000 10K run - DONE
9 October: Central Park NY 10K - DONE
23 November: Run Fest Silverstone Formula 1 Circuit (10K) - DONE
7 December: Running GP at Goodwood Motor Circuit (10K) - DONE

All donations made through this page on the Givewheel platform will be split between Big Change, Mission 44, Stemettes and the Benedetti Foundation and used towards the projects they are supporting. If you are a UK tax payer, please include Gift Aid if you can - that way the charities get 25% more at no cost to you. THANK YOU!