A year ago I decided to run my first ever event to prove to myself that I could and to remember my dad. Friends were surprised to see me start running but not as surprised as I was when I completed my first 10km (without stopping) and with the love and support of so many friends raised £1000 for Jimmys night shelter.
Many of life’s challenges can be made easier with the support of friends, love and strength. Over the last 5 years I have been inspired by my beautiful friends Ruth and Nettie and the love and strength they have shown and that they continue to show. Beyond that I have been inspired by their love for each other over the last twenty years.
Love and strength could be viewed as life skills, often further developed as a result of life changing and sometimes heart breaking experiences or through joy and friendship.
The Kite Trust supports young LGBT people to develop life skills through positive activities and to build resilience and emotional well-being. This enables young people to make informed choices and to address the issues they face. They also offer 1-2-1 support, advocacy and information, advice and guidance.
We would like to raise £1500 to support 3 young people to access the summer ‘Camp Camp’ experience by acting as fairy godparents and to pay tribute to live, strength and friendship.
The Camp Camp experience supports young people to explore who they are and who they want to be. Perhaps the biggest life skill is to learn to love yourself and The Kite Trust can help young people to achieve this.
Ruth, Nettie and myself have shared many nights under canvas and are equals in this field. It would be fair to say I could never compete with their sporting achievements but through my first (and last) half marathon I can experience a little bit of the strength and determination they have shown.
My amazing friends James Fordham and Patrick Coughlan are supporting me and will be running the Windsor half marathon with me.