My new years resolution for 2016 was to get healthier, fitter and stronger. What started out as a few jogs here and there soon became an intensive routine and it wasn't too long before I was in competition with myself to improve further!! Now that I've come this far I feel the best route forward is to use all my hard work and training to help others.

That is exactly why I have set up this JustGiving page. On Sunday, June 26th 2016, me and my friend will be taking part in the Humber Bridge Half Marathon in Hull. This is a lengthy and testing 13.1 mile course straight across the Humber bridge!!

I originally trained to complete the Leeds Plusnet Half Marathon on Sunday 8th May 2016 but due to injury whilst training I had to postpone by Half Marathon to the Hull event. Nathaniel ran the Leeds event in my place.

This will be my first Half Marathon and my furthest distance running event.... by far!! I will be running in this event with my friend, Nathaniel Alabaster, who has taken part in multiple Half Marathons in the past. With his guidance and your donations I hope to complete the event in 2 hours or less... An achievement which will be truly monumental and something that I wouldn't have thought possible a few months back!!

The charity I have chosen to support for this event is the Hull Children's University. They are a local charity established for the past 20 years. Their mission is to build self-esteem and raise aspirations in young people by providing unique learning experiences. 

Currently, over 13,000 children in our city are living in poverty with 84% of these children coming from out-of-work households. These children may not have access to the opportunities that other children receive and many of them have never left Hull, some having never even ventured into the city centre!

They strongly believe that ALL children should get to see beyond the end of their street and experience the world around them. They believe that every child is intelligent in different ways; they just need the opportunity to discover their hidden talents and ignite their aspirations for the future. They want to help children believe that they can achieve their dreams and give them the confidence to try!

Their learning experiences are designed to engage, inspire and educate. Being an inclusive organisation, they take full classes of children on experiences and are proud to say that they are currently working with over 80% of the primary schools in the city. Whether it is a trip to London to have a sleepover under the dinosaurs in the Natural History Museum or if it is visiting a local business to learn about that industry, all of their children leave these experiences happy, excited and with new aspirations that they will hopefully carry with them into adulthood.

For more information on the HCU and examples of their previous work in our community please visit www.hullchildrensuniversity.com