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"What's your proudest achievement?"
It’s the classic ice-breaker — awkward, overused, and definitely no one’s favourite. Back in the early days at Tempest Resourcing, we’d ask this question to every new trainee consultant nervously gathered in the boardroom on Day One. To be fair, whichever founding member of the business was leading the induction had to join in and answer it too.
My go-to response back then was easy: my son Oscar (his brother Henry hadn’t arrived yet - I wasn’t playing favourites!), and what we’d built with Tempest. Seeing the incredible staff we have working across education, social care, and the wider public sector, all supporting communities, children, vulnerable people and families, is a constant source of pride. Knowing we’ve helped launch so many careers at Tempest, all starting with that same slightly awkward question, only adds to it.
Well, I now have a third answer: helping raise £22,000 for Children With Cancer UK.
Running for more than the finish line
On April 27th, I completed the 2025 London Marathon alongside eight of my brilliant Tempest colleagues. Together, we raised this incredible figure for a truly meaningful cause.
The idea came last September. I decided - with only a little coercion and peer pressure - to convince as many colleagues as possible that running a marathon and fundraising for charity was a great idea. A few signed up willingly; the rest needed a nudge. For some of us, like Chris Mair, our Associate Director in Social Work, it wasn’t the first time. For most, it was.
This was my third marathon - seven years after my last (and a few stone heavier). Chris and I tried to reassure everyone how rewarding the experience would be and insisted, "It’s really just about following the training plan.” We may have glossed over a few details - like four months of your life disappearing into long runs, sore legs, and battling whatever the British weather threw at us.
Luckily, everyone was hugely motivated by the fundraising aspect. I already knew which charity we’d run for.
Why this charity matters to me
When I ran my first marathon, Oscar was just 18 months old. Though he was thankfully healthy, we spent a lot of time in the paediatric department of our local hospital during those early years for check ups. I’ll never forget the sight of children waiting with their families - clearly undergoing treatment for cancer. It stayed with me. That’s why my first two marathons were for Children With Cancer UK, and why I knew exactly who we’d support this time.
The power of teamwork
Once our team application was accepted, training began and the donations started coming in. Our WhatsApp group filled up with proud posts - first 10Ks, then half-marathons, then full training milestones. The support from across the business was incredible, with fundraising events organised and promoted by so many of our colleagues.
By race day, I already knew this was going to be one of my proudest achievements - not just for me, but for all of us.
The result?
Nine finishers. Three lost toenails. Two bleeding nipples (wouldn’t recommend). Nine names already in the ballot for next year. Several inspired colleagues ready to join. And a fundraising total of £22,000 that we hope is making a real difference to families going through unimaginably tough times.
And now, one more life achievement to add to the list.
Roll on next year…
Want to learn more about who we are and what we do across education, social care, and the wider public sector? Explore more about us to see what makes Tempest different.
