My Story

I am walking to fundraise for Drive Forward, a charity striving to help young adults leaving foster or residential care achieve their full potential.

Hi, I’m Katie, a 22-year-old Cornish lass currently working in the English capital at creative video agency, SALT.TV. For my fundraiser I walked the distance between Cornwall and London - 193 miles. This has taken place over the month of May, aka National Walking Month. Despite being an asthmatic who has never stepped foot in a gym, I successfully trekked the full 378,000 steps between my past home, and my current one.

My journey to where I am now was not a simple one. Although I could provide you with a long list of hurdles I had to (and still have to, presently) overcome, there's one overbearing hindrance in my success. My poor mental health. One cause that we can trace some of my self doubt and insecurities to is my bout in foster care as a child.

This glimpse into the system and the struggles of those confined within it has never left me. I've witnessed friends beside me struggle with things that most people wouldn't consider - where will I live over summer when my university accommodation isn't available? How can I afford this school trip? How am I going to learn how to cook or budget? How can I support myself between jobs? Think of every time you've gone to your family for financial aid, advice or emotional support. Life is much more difficult if you don't possess that support system, or if your support system has cracks.

With 30% of young people experiencing homelessness within 6 months of leaving care; 40% not being being in employment, education or training; 50% suffering from mental ill-health and 60% of children going into care due to severe neglect or abuse  - something has to change. They deserve our help and support and I'm walking for them. To offer them that step up that so many of us take for granted.

Drive Forward offers exactly that. Whether it's through mentoring, counselling, training, career opportunities or more, Drive Forward is actively working hard to make a difference in the lives of young care leavers by helping open doors and giving them skills, confidence and inspiration.

I would so greatly appreciate even the smallest donation. Even if you don't currently have the means to, thank you so much for reading this far.

All the love,

Katie x