My name is David, and I entered the care system when I was just two months old. For the next 17 years of my life, I lived with 16 different foster families and spent two spells in secure units. It was a tough and turbulent journey, and I sometimes felt like I had no control over my life. But then, something happened that changed everything. With it, I found the running community and a new path forward.
The stats are shocking: in 2022, just 1% of children in England were in care, but 59% of children in custody in England were care experienced. That was my path, but I found a new one through running. A path that led me to the start line of the world's most iconic mountain race, Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, in August 2023, as part of John McAvoy's Alpine Run Project - a campaign to get young people from urban environments moving in nature, at home and abroad.
Running gave me a sense of purpose and control that I had never felt before. It allowed me to set goals and work hard to achieve them. And most importantly, it gave me a community of people who believed in me and supported me every step of the way. Now, I want to pay it forward. I want to use my experience and passion for running to help other young people in or leaving care find their own path forward.
That's why I'm leading a project called "From Care To Where" that will take up to 20 young people on a journey of self-discovery through running and other outdoor activities. Through this project, we'll explore the stunning natural beauty of the North Downs Way, Folkestone Downs, and the coastal areas of Folkestone, Sandgate, and Hythe.
We'll be trail running, mountain biking, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, and anything else that inspires us. But more than that, we'll be building relationships and connections that will last a lifetime. As someone who's been through what they are going through, I know how important it is to have someone to look up to and believe in. That's what I want to be for these young people - a mentor and a friend who can help them see that anything is possible if they work hard and believe in themselves.
I'm passionate about this project, and I believe it has the power to change lives. By providing mentoring and coaching from people with lived experience like myself, and equipment like six good quality mountain bikes, three new bell tents for camping adventures, and three new stand-up paddle boards, we can help keep young people in or leaving care from becoming another statistic.
Together, we can inspire these young people to dream big and achieve their goals, just like I did. And who knows, maybe one day, they'll lead the charge and inspire others to find their own path forward. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope it inspires you as much as running has inspired me.
Best, David