22 HALVES, 22 WEEKDAYS - Raising funds for KidsCan

This April I’m running 22 half-marathons (every weekday) to raise funds for KidsCan.

My whānau and I experienced significant poverty during my intermediate and high school years, often going without school lunches and occasionally eating weet-bix for dinner - this made learning in school tough.

Our circumstance was the result of traumatic events, consumer debt earning high interest, a single mother raising 3 kids while struggling with mental health (due to the trauma), poor financial literacy, and addictions such as cigarettes and fast food. No family chooses to live in poverty, we just hadn't been taught better and didn't have the appropriate support networks.

I have grown a lot since these humble beginnings and i'm proud to have a bright future ahead of me. The change in my circumstance is the result of my community supporting me by pushing, guiding, and inspiring me to aim for more. This is why I want to raise awareness, to encourage our community to support children in need, because your help does make a difference.

By donating, you'll be supporting KidsCan to provide food, jackets, shoes, and health products to schools and early childhood centres across New Zealand. With these essentials, kids can participate in learning and have the opportunity for a better future.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you and appreciate all the support. I'll be sharing my journey on instagram - damo_runs_22.

Cheers