Home-start (Down District) is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age. They are part of the wider Home-Start organisation but work within the Down District to support local families.

As a parent, my own children all enjoy mums and tots groups run by the volunteers at Home Start DD. With the rising cost of daycare, they’re able to go to a group on almost every day of the week to play and make friends. The volunteers make a huge difference to them and all the families they support.

As a teacher, I have had the privilege of working with foster families and the children in their care. They’ve told me about how important home-start have been for them and the families they know, even taking new parents out shopping to help them understand what basics they may need for their baby.

On 4th of May I will be running the full Belfast marathon and I’m hoping to use it as a chance to raise some money for Home-Start (down district). They rely hugely on donations and, knowing first hand just how important their work is, I’d really appreciate any support for them.

The first 3 or 4 years of a young persons life are the most important and an organisation like home-start will be able to make a genuine difference with your donations.

(It’s also a big challenge for me, having spent the last 35 years of my life not being able to run the length of myself!).

Thank you!