A keen runner from a local family-run business has been the first to pledge his support for Safe and Sound’s work to support young people across Derbyshire by entering the Derby Half Marathon this summer.

We have a limited number of free places available for novice and experienced runners alike to enter the half marathon on Sunday June 9. In return for the free place, we are asking runners to raise at least £200 to support our work with children and young people who are victims or are at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE). Find out more here.

Antoni Jones, a supervisor at Derby Express Couriers, based in West Meadows Industrial Estate, is the first to pledge his support for Safe and Sound.

Antoni explained: “We are Safe and Sound’s delivery partner and were obviously keen to support their work by entering the Derby Half Marathon under their banner.

“Child sexual exploitation is a horrendous crime and there is no way that children and young people should suffer in this way.

“As a family business long-established in the city with local employees and customers, it is important to us to put something back into our local communities.

“I will be proud to be part of Team Safe and Sound and I hope that other individuals and businesses follow our lead and sign up to enter and raise money for this great local charity.”

Safe and Sound chair Catherine Arkley continued: “We are a small local charity who work exclusively with young people in Derbyshire who are victims or are at risk of child sexual exploitation.

“Our specialist support workers help these young people come to terms with their experiences so that they are no longer trapped or defined by them.

“We also raise awareness in local communities so that they can recognise the warning signs of this form of abuse and know where to go for support.

“We rely on public funding to continue this valuable work as well as expand the scope of work with young people and families and are therefore very grateful for this support.”

There are still some places left to support Safe and Sound at the Derby Half Marathon. For more information about how to enter the event and support us, please go to our Derby Half Marathon page here; call 01332 362120 or email Rhiannon.