Donate to help kids with additional needs

Hi, my name is Ruth and I am participating in this year’s London marathon. This will be my 6th marathon, or 7th if you count the one at the end of a Ironman, but this time there’s a twist.

On the 29th July 2023, I was knocked off my bike while out cycling. I was rushed to King’s College Hospital with catastrophic injuries to my left knee. I spent just under 6 weeks in hospital and underwent 4 surgeries to repair the damage.

Those of you that know me well, know I can doggedly stick to a goal when I want to…and so it should be no surprise that during my first week of my hospital stay, I set my sights on completing the London Marathon. At that stage I couldn’t even stand, let alone walk. My triathlon background has helped me stick to my Physiotherapy regimen, even when pain levels were high, and the task ahead seemed so so far away.

As part of the challenge, I am fundraising for Fun Friends, a wonderful small local organisation, established in 2017. Fun Friends provides groups supporting children and young adults with additional needs and disabilities ages 7-21 in Sidcup, Swanley and Wilmington (South East London). I have volunteered at the Sidcup group since it’s beginning in 2021.

Sadly some of our young people struggle making friendships, are never invited to parties because they are seen as different, or days out can be too difficult for both them and their families. Therefore, the fact we are able to put on the following with your help means everything!

The following funds kindly donated by you will not only keep me putting one foot in front of the other during the London Marathon, but will also cover the following:

£5 = Squash and biscuits for 1 group, 15 children.

£10 = A new game for club, for all groups to use and enjoy.

£15 = Ice-lollies for a summer session, up to 30 children or young adults!

£20 = Ingredients for a cooking activity at club for 15 people, i.e making pizzas, or baking a cake.

£25 = Craft materials for arts and crafts for up to 2 groups each week.

£50 = Sensory resources and games equipment for all groups to benefit from, eg play trays and kinetic sand / magnetic building blocks.

£75 = Reptile workshop / Facepainting workshop / Internet safety workshop.

£100 = Christmas gifts for 20 children.

£150 = Disco for our club parties / Archery workshop / Fire-lighting & Fire-cooking workshop.

£175 = Gravity trampolining trip for 15 people.

£200 = Meal out as a group to a local restaurant.

£250 = Diggerland trip for 10 children.

£500 = London theatre trip for 10 young adults.

£1000 = Coach cost for a day out at Colchester Zoo or Chessington for 50 passengers.

Thank you for helping Fun Friends to continue making a positive difference and helping to change lives for the better!

Esther Dawson, Founding Director of Fun Friends says “We wish Ruth all the best with her training leading up to the big day and we can not wait to be there on the day to support and cheer her on”.