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It was April 2022 when I put my 6th application in for a London Marathon ballot place. October 2022 and I finally have a place in my iconic home city. Absolutely buzzing! My younger brother Sam running it a few years ago inspired me to try for a place. With my 50th looming it seemed like the best time for a midlife crisis-inspired challenge. I have always watched and been a massive fan of the marathon. Such an incredible community event with the gruelling effort the training takes, the money and awareness raised for charities and the positivity on the day of crowds cheering the runners on. It is such a privilege to be able to run and raise money for Women and Girls Network and why I waited for a ballot place. Women and Girls Network are an incredible organisation who support survivors of violence and abuse. This ranges from child abuse, rape and other forms of sexual violence to domestic abuse, coercive control, exploitation, stalking, harassment, FGM and forced marriage to name a few. 2021 statistics showed that by the age of 16, 25% of girls in the UK would have experienced some kind of abuse. It is estimated 1.6 million women aged 16 to 74 years in UK experienced domestic abuse, around 7% of the female population. It is also estimated 3% of women aged 16 to 74 years in England and Wales experienced sexual assault (including attempts) and 5% experienced stalking. These trends have remained similar over the last 10 years and are thought to be underestimated as it is based on reported crimes. 81 women were murdered by a male suspect in 2021. These utterly tragic and distressing facts are a reality for women and girls in the UK and across the world. Violence and abuse has a huge cost on people’s lives. The UK needs organisations like Women and Girls Network who provide innovative services to support women and girls to recover from these experiences through counselling and therapeutic interventions, one to one casework and ISVA support, advice and emotional support, support specifically for young women and political activism to influence policy and social change. PEOPLE, THIS IS MY ONE AND ONLY MARATHON, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO DIG DEEP AND DONATE TO THIS AMAZING ORGANISATION THAT SUPPORTS WOMEN AND GIRLS TO THRIVE AND LIVE THEIR FULLEST LIVES. LOOK AROUND AT THE WOMEN AROUND YOU AND KNOW SOMEONE WILL HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. HELP KEEP ORGANISATIONS LIKE THIS RUNNING TO OFFER THE MOST HEART FELT, REVOLUTIONARY AND CUTTING EDGE APPROACHES TO ENABLE RECOVERY FROM VIOLENCE AND ABUSE. Thank you so much and see you as I cross the finish line! Thanks to Sam @skingruns and Lozza @lozbinge for their belief and support, Harper @harpertime for her excellent coaching skills and @ubermummies for the classes that have kept me in great injury free shape and a good head space and for all my friends and family that have had to listen to me going on and on about it constantly. Feeling inspired by amazing women overall!

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