Sport can fundamentally change lives and this work is becoming more important than ever as the cost-of-living crisis increases. We need to continue to ensure that young people are accessing sport and thriving, and Access Sport plays a key role in that.  

I am staggered every day when I go into work at Access Sport. The passion and dedication from staff and volunteers to making change happen for disadvantaged and disabled young people is amazing. The work we do with community sports clubs and volunteers to ensure barriers are tackled and that there is provision for sport makes a massive difference that has been proven time and time again.

I’m running the TCS London Marathon on Sunday 2^nd October to raise money for this important charity, and because I believe passionately in the power of grass roots and community sport.

Sport can fundamentally change lives with benefits ranging from physical and mental health and well-being, personal development and skills including teamwork and resilience, and creating a real sense of belonging.

Personally, I struggled when I was young, especially in the times of my life when I had to make a transition – from nursery to primary school, primary school to secondary school and secondary school to university. Those struggles included feeling very down, not enjoying the experience and in university, depression. What finally helped me to overcome each of those dark periods was the power of sport. I pushed myself to join sports clubs and found that I could then easily make friends, connect with people and find the common ground that allowed me to build confidence and grow into those new environments. With sport helping me through, I was then able to also improve my academic work, making the most of all the opportunities that came my way.

Now, I want to ensure that other children and young people benefit like I did. I have children of my own and I see the positive impact on them that sport has through learning skills, making friends and gaining new experiences along with all of the health benefits of physical activity.

The London Marathon is really a personal journey for me. I have trained hard for it and will hopefully do my best, but more importantly I will raise money that will enable Access Sport to continue to deliver its vital work with grassroots sport. This work will become more important than ever as the cost-of-living crisis increases. We need to continue to ensure that young people are accessing sport and thriving, and Access Sport plays a key role in that.  

To support my marathon efforts please visit www.justgiving.com/tomdixonaccesssport