2 local causes, Horton Lodge Special School and Beck’s Fund

I'm running the London Marathon in April (a massive challenge for someone who’d never run more than 5k up until last Summer) and want to support these two amazing causes:

Beck’s Fund:

Beck’s Fund is held by the registered charity Changes Health and Wellbeing, and has been set up to create a lasting legacy in memory of Beck Bromley. The fund’s ultimate aim is to raise awareness of the resources we all have, to build resilience and embrace the joy, pain and passion in life.

Beck’s mum Fran writes;

“In November 2022, Beck, aged 19, died by suicide. We will never know his reasons as we can no longer ask him. We hold onto the belief that if we, and he, were guided with the right support, Beck would still be forging his own unique story in the world and infecting everyone with his personality.

What we do now have the opportunity to do in his name, is to appreciate the power we all have to impact the mental health of our communities, and how in turn our communities will be better able to support us should we ever find ourselves in need.

Beck played the electric guitar in a band, he was an avid tennis player, he was a first-class mathematician, he surfed and skate-boarded with equal ease, and his smile lit any room.

We hope that his legacy will allow him to continue to strum, surf, skate and smile in our hearts, as we allow his death to let us learn what he didn't have the opportunity to.”

Beck’s mother, wrote a book, B.E.C.K. about her experience of grief following the death of her son. Her wisdom guides you to create your own safety plan, practise ACTIVE LISTENING and share your knowledge with a smile. Read B.E.C.K. and learn more at www.beckbromley.com

Horton Lodge Community Special School, Staffordshire.

To support the purchase of much needed and highly beneficial sensory integration equipment for the children who attend this fabulous school (and I know because I worked there!). The children at Horton Lodge have a wide range of abilities and needs, and require a high level of (usually expensive) specialist equipment to support the work of the dedicated and skilled staff team, enabling maximum access and learning through experience and play.

I have set an ambitious target I know, but it’s not every day you run your first (and last ) marathon in your 50s! Every little bit you can contribute will be very much appreciated and valued by those who will benefit from it.