Running the Bath Half Marathon

[p]On Sunday 15th March I am running in the Bath Half Marathon in aid of [b]Fresh Start - new beginnings[/b], a charity which provides a therapeutic service to victims of child sexual abuse. I was introduced to it by Suffolk Community Foundation,* and on a recent visit to see its work I was stunned to learn that one child in six is sexually abused. This is happening every minute, of every hour, of every day.[/p][p][b]FSNB[/b] provides a safe place where children and their families can be given advice, support and the chance of a future that is brighter and more secure. Currently [b]FSNB[/b] is working with over 200 children, but many more who have disclosed abuse are awaiting help. Its ability to meet this demand depends on awareness being raised of the prevalence of sexual abuse and on funds to support its good work.[/p][p]I was impressed by abundant evidence I saw of successful outcomes, with children writing about the confidence and understanding they were gaining as they reclaimed their futures. To provide a victim with the service needed to complete this journey costs on average £2,500. Your kind support in raising this amount will help another child make a fresh start. Thank you.[/p][p]*Suffolk Community Foundation manages the 'Fifty Miles with my Dad' Fund, an endowment created by the generosity of donors supporting my charity walk on the Suffolk coast in 2009. Grants from the fund's income are made to charities and community groups supporting those with disability, the infirm and the vulnerable. Seeing their work at first hand has been an inspiration that led to my vocation in medicine - a story I tell in [i]Fifty Miles with my Dad[/i], to be published in April this year. [/p][p]For further information please see:[/p][p][url=http://www.fsnb.org.uk/]www.fsnb.org.uk/[/url][/p][p][url=http://www.suffolkcf.org.uk/]www.suffolkcf.org.uk/[/url][/p][p][url=http://www.maydelarue.com]www.maydelarue.com[/url][/p][p][br][/p][p][br][/p][p][br][/p][p][br][/p][p][br][/p]