Hey everyone – I’m Esmée and I’m taking on a HUGE running challenge this year. I’m going to host 76 run clubs in 99 days – that’s one in every city in the UK – and I’m getting to every one of them by foot!

Yep, that means I’m running between every city (adding up to 5,000km) just so I can see you and inspire you to join me for a 5k.

It’s a wild idea and it’s all inspired by my personal journey and love of helping people move. When I was 18, I was paralysed during a routine operation. At the time, I was training to be a professional dancer, and being told I might never walk again was heartbreaking. It was the catalyst for me to realise just how important movement was for my body and mind.

After a gruelling few years, I learnt to walk, dance and run again – and decided to become a PT to help people who weren’t sure how to move their bodies gain confidence. In 2023, I launched The Say Yes Club, a walk/jog/run/do whatever you want 5k club to help people achieve their first run, make friends or have a supportive hub that they know they can show up to every week.

I’m hoping that my story inspires you – and if it does, that you could spare a couple of quid to donate to the charity pot for my challenge.

This is how it will work: 25% is going to Wings for Life, an amazing charity that raises money for spinal cord injury research and is best known for its World Run event, in which participants run for people who can’t. 25% is also going to Sport In Mind, the UK's leading mental health sports charity.

The other 50% of the pot is going to charities nominated by YOU. I received so many amazing recommendations from you all and the common theme is helping people feel less alone, whether they’re going through mental health struggles, addiction, cancer, illness or aging.

All I want to do in life is help people feel part of something. I can’t stand the thought of anyone not able to access services, clubs or friendships, or feel like they aren’t deserving of taking part. With that in mind, PLEASE feel free to come to any of the clubs at any of the cities, regardless of whether you walk, roll or run, what pace you move, your background or capability. And if you feel inspired, a donation to charities that help with the same mission is so appreciated.

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!