“Here we go again!” Says Martin…
For me this is Run Reigate number 3 and once again I am delighted to be running for the amazing charity, Include. There is one small change though. Having run the 10km race for the last 2 years, this year I have decided to challenge myself to the half marathon distance.
‘Leveling up’ seemed like a good idea at the time, but as I write this the reality is hitting home that a half marathon is precisely 11.1km further than my usual 10km. Hardly an insignificant increase!
Although the increase in distance is significant and will undoubtedly require some extra training, I don’t mind at all. In truth I think it’s a tiny sacrifice to support Include and the important work they do in our local community to ensure people with communication difficulties aren’t excluded from our society.
Personal motivation
For me this is a cause that feels quite personal. As the father of 2 boys, Josh and Ben, who struggle with communication difficulties (more from them in a minute) I see daily the issues they face.
Whether it’s being talked over by people who don’t want to wait for their responses or excluded altogether it’s something you never get used to seeing, and quite simply it’s not something I want for their future.
Here’s the thing. The fact that they can’t communicate in the traditional format as well as others doesn’t mean that what they’re thinking or want to say is any less valid, and the same is true for everyone with a communication difficulty.
Why run for Include again?
Most of us know that the more we understand others the better life gets, not just for them, but for all of us. And that’s why Include is such an important charity to me and why supporting it means so much. Through their work Include breaks down barriers that are created by communication difficulties and helps to ensure that more people feel included.
What Include also does is bring happiness to peoples lives.
Through initiatives such as their Choir and their Stroll and Sign walks they provide fantastic opportunities for all members of our community to get out, be active, socialise and just have fun.
As a sports coach who works exclusively with people with additional needs at PMActive and East Surrey Hawks Football Club I know how important this is. It gives purpose and a sense of belonging, but most importantly it provides a place where people can just be themselves. It’s sounds really simply but that, in a nutshell, is why I’m running for Include again this year.
I love how they help to ensure there is a place for everyone in our society.
Living with a communication difficulty
I promised earlier to share more from Josh and Ben. When writing this blog I asked them how it felt to live with a communication difficulty and why inclusive organisations like Include are so important. I think their explanations are much better than mine …
Because of my communication difficulty I find it hard talking to people and doing new things, even when I really want to. People like Include, the Hawks and PMActive help me learn new things and get better at sports and other important skills. Josh
Having a communication difficulty makes it hard to explain what I’m thinking and that means things like going to the shops can be hard. Places like Include and My football club the East Surrey Hawks help people with disabilities feel safe, included and happy. Ben
Just Giving
If you can support my run with a donation, no matter how big or small, it really would mean so much to Include. It’s a small charity so every penny counts!
Donate to support Martin and see his training updates on Just Giving: Martin King is fundraising for Include.org (justgiving.com)
Communications, Fundraising and Partnerships Lead