“If I was going to ask people to sponsor me to complete running events, I wanted to do it for a cause that I really believed in,” said David Bailey. “That was when I decided to support KidsOut.”

A director in Norman Broadbent’s Chief Financial Officers Practice, Bailey began running in 2013 after he underwent surgery on his spine for a ruptured disk. Active from a young age, he turned to running to aid his recovery.

As his experience grew and performance improved, Bailey embarked on longer distances and began participating in organised events, where supporting charities was common. “Norman Broadbent has a close connection with KidsOut, both as a corporate sponsor of events and through several actively-involved individuals,” he said. “I had heard about the great work they were doing, but it wasn’t until I attended the 2015 KidsOut Toy Box Ball that I saw it first-hand.”

During the evening, a mother who had been in refuge shared her story with the audience and her gratitude to KidsOut. “I was moved to hear her describe how she was forced to leave her home because of an abusive husband, and the incredible difference that KidsOut made to her and her son,” he said.

Bailey decided to get involved directly and use his running to support KidsOut. “As a relatively small charity, KidsOut is unlikely to ‘grab the headlines’ in the way that other fundraising organisations might,” he said. “But the work that they do makes a huge difference to the children, who through no fault of their own could easily be overlooked.”

Bailey ran the Run Reigate half marathon in September on behalf of KidsOut as well as the Royal Parks Foundation half marathon in October, and is now preparing for the Virgin Money London Marathon in April 2016. “I have never attempted a full marathon before,” he said. “I regularly run the half marathon distance as part of my training, but this will be a big challenge for me.”

KidsOut regularly reserves places in running events around the country, with six supporters preparing for the Virgin Money London Marathon in April. “I hope to raise at least £1,500,” said Bailey. “I‘m already feeling really excited and there are still six months to go!”

You can sponsor David Bailey by visiting his fundraising page. To participate in future events, call 01525 385252 or email events@kidsout.org.uk.