I'm swapping the converses for running shoes, and getting training for the Cambridge Half Marathon 2018! I'll be running to raise money for the Aspire programme at Romsey Mill: a project and a charity that I love to the tips of my toes.
Aspire does hugely valuable work with young people and children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions in mainstream education. For the young people that we work with, school and life can often be about "surviving"; but the Aspire youth groups give them a place where they can be themselves, know that they are loved, practice social skills in a safe environment, and find support from the team of hugely dedicated leaders. We not only run youth groups for the young people to be a part of, but support them 1-1 where needed, support the families, act as advocates and work with schools to help make sure young people have access to the support they need.
I've volunteered for the Aspire programme for several years, and have had the honour of working for them since March this year; I love, love, love the work we get to do - and I've seen Aspire make a massive difference in the lives of the young people. I'll be sharing lots of success stories over the coming weeks and months - but please do ask me more about Aspire.
I picked a half marathon to aid in my attempt to raise money for Aspire: before beginning this training I had been a committed non-runner; my ideal Friday night was a night in with a bucket of popcorn and Netflix - but I'm pounding the streets of Cambridge in the hope of raising a bit of money, to help Aspire grow more, and our young people thrive.
