A long and often difficult journey can be used to describe both the Robin Hood half marathon and the road to recovery from trauma.
However, when specialist services such as IMARA exist to aid the process of healing this journey becomes one that you don’t have to do alone. I am a survivor of childhood and adult sexual abuse and trauma. I was attacked by a stranger when I was 17 when services like IMARA did not exist. I was so traumatised that I could not speak to tell anyone what had just happened to me. I lost my sense of safety and for a short while, the ability to talk.
When I was able to speak, I did not have anyone to talk to that could understand. I am now also a mother of three beautiful children, who unfortunately have experienced domestic abuse. In addition, one of my children was recently sexually assaulted by a stranger. They were referred to IMARA by the police, and since IMARA is also able to see children who have experienced domestic abuse, all three of my children are being helped to heal from their experiences.
It is a charity and relies on donations, and I just wanted to give something back for the incredible and difficult work that the practitioners do. By running the Robin Hood half Marathon, I want to help to ensure that this service is available to any child that needs it so that they can also have the chance to talk, draw, paint, and dance their way to healing from trauma.
