9xb Director continues fundraising efforts

After 4 months of training during the summer months, Simon Blake, 9xb's Client Services Director, completed the Yorkshire marathon in 4 hours 4 minutes.  Not bad for a first attempt! In total he has raised £1,815 for Isobelle's School, a charity supporting Highbury School in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. Highbury is a specialist school providing education for children with a wide range of complex special educational needs and disabilities from ages 3-11.

Simon's Story

When I first got entered into a 10k run through work in 2016, I thought that would be hard enough having never really been a runner. Then after a few more runs I started to enjoy it until in 2019, I decided a needed a bigger challenge to focus my mind on getting fit! So at the turn of the year I decided to enter my first marathon, yes a full marathon! This is the Yorkshire Marathon on Sunday 20th October.

At first I had my personal reasons for entering such an event but a couple of people have asked me if I was doing it to raise money. This wasn't my intention when I signed up. However on the back of people asking me, whilst sat with my friend Stuart in a restaurant on a golf trip back in May, I suggested that I help raise some money for his daughter, Isobelle, so here is her story:

Isobelle Henbest is eight years old and unable to communicate or walk.

Like thousands of children across the country, her condition is undiagnosed and she comes under the bracket of Global Developmental Delay. Preferably we say she is a S.W.A.N (syndrome without a name).

It can be difficult at times, but thankfully there is the support of Highbury School in Rastrick. It's a wonderful primary school that looks after children of different abilities, and they make sure every day is fun.

Isobelle has been at the school for just over five years and although small steps, she has progressed enormously under their wing.

There is always some new equipment needed or maintenance to carry out, which of course needs money. The money raised will be used to purchase a specialist multi-positional learning station for Isobelle's class., and to give Isobelle and her amazing school friends the opportunities they deserve.

Simon is planning more fundraising events, and to continue his running in 2020, in support of this great cause.