Running for Care Leavers

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

I am running the Yorkshire Marathon on 19th October 2025!

As I have never tackled a marathon before, with my longest run to date being the Sheffield Half Marathon, I would like to use this as an opportunity to raise money for charities that support care leavers (care-experienced people).
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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.

Settle– is an award-winning charity that supports ​​young people as they transition out of the care system and move into their first home. They offer 1:1 coaching to care leavers to help them thrive in independent living.

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 Yorkshire Marathon to raise money for these fantastic charities!
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Q&A

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 have never been 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 joined a running club in late 2022, and began participating in weekly park runs in 2023. Since 2023, I have participated in various races, with my longest to date being the Sheffield Half Marathon.

Why have I set a target of £1000?

Last year, I ran the Sheffield Half Marathon to raise money for The Care Leavers Association, and Siblings Together - charities that do amazing things for care-experienced people. Thanks to lots of generous donations, I raised just over £800.

As my next running challenge is much longer in distance than my last, I am hoping to raise a little more than I raised last time :)

If you can spare anything, please consider sponsoring me - no amount is too small!