Blacker runs London and Edinburgh for the Tavs in 2025!

In April and May this year, I'm once again running the London and Edinburgh Marathons to raise money for the Lord's Taverners!!

I first heard about the Tavs through the Final Word, and from there signed up to their mailing list. In early 2023, they started up a Super 1s program in my county (Cambridgeshire), so I reached out to the Development Officer and asked if they needed a hand. I spent three months helping out with the sessions, and there are two things I won’t forget from that time. 

Firstly, how much of an impact the programmes have. One non-verbal boy at his first session was nervous, shy and didn’t want to pick up a cricket bat. Within a few weeks he was grinning each time he walked in the door, was first to run to the equipment, and his mum said it was the highlight of his week.

Secondly, at the end of my first session, a number of parents came up to Stuart asking how much it would cost to come back in future weeks. I’ll never forget the look on their faces when he said it was free and that the Tavs covered everything. These programs being so accessible makes an enormous difference to the kids in them but also their families, and are entirely worth supporting.

Since then, it’s been a no-brainer to support the Tavs. Wearing my #TeamTavs hoodie, telling people what they do, and nagging them to donate is the least I can do to support a charity which brings so much joy into the world.