Press

Former The Apprentice contestant, Richard Woods, set to run the London Marathon in support of Speech and Language UK

April 4, 2024

Former The Apprentice finalist and business entrepreneur, Richard Woods, is set to run the TCS 2024 London Marathon in support of Speech and Language UK – a charity that supports children with speech and language challenges. 

This will be the second time in 2024 that Richard has run a marathon, having ran the Cyprus Marathon in early March already! 

When asked why he is supporting Speech and Language UK, Richard said:  

“I am fundraising to support the impactful work of Speech and Language UK, which directly benefits children like my daughter, Poppy. Poppy faces daily challenges in communicating and understanding others, but the progress she is making with their support is truly groundbreaking.  I am running the London Marathon for Speech and Language UK to say thanks for all the help they give to Poppy and families like mine all over the UK.” 

Jane Harris, Speech and Language UK Chief Executive said:  

“Right now, 1.9 million children across the UK have speech and language challenges, which is the highest number ever recorded! Children’s education has been severely disrupted by the Covid pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis which has had a huge impact on children learning to talk and understand words. We are incredibly grateful to Richard for going the extra mile by running the London Marathon to help us support even more children and their families.”  

To sponsor Richard, please click here to visit his fundraising page.  

-ends- 

A white man with a buzz cut takes a selfie in a wooded area standing on an open path. He wears a blue shirt and air pods.

Notes to editors 

For media enquiries, please contact Simon Walsh, Press Manager, Speech and Language UK via media@speechandlanguage.org.uk   

Click here to take part in an event for Speech and Language UK.  

Research has found that a child with speech and language challenges is at risk of: 

  • More mental health problems: 81% of children with emotional and behavioural disorders have significant speech and language challenges, often unidentified1 and 45% of young people referred for mental health services2  
  • Worse literacy and numeracy: 6x more likely to be behind in English, 11x more likely to be behind in Maths3 at 11 years with only 15% gaining a 9-5 pass at GCSE in English and Maths.4 
  • Increased risk of offending: At least 60% of young offenders have language difficulties.5 
  • Less secure employment: 2x more likely to experience insecure employment as adults.6 

 

Who are Speech and Language UK?   

For at least 1.9 million children in the UK, learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle. We work to give every child the skills they need to face the future with confidence.  We design innovative tools and training for thousands of nursery assistants and teachers to use in their classrooms.  We give families the confidence and skills to help their children. And we put pressure on politicians to prioritise help for speech and language challenges. 

We demand a country in which every child with challenges in talking and understanding words has the skills they need to face the future with confidence. Together we can achieve it.  

 

About Richard Woods 

Richard Woods is a three-time bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur, finalist of the top BBC series ‘The Apprentice,’ keynote speaker, radio presenter, and investor. In 2015, he was a finalist on the BBC series ‘The Apprentice, where he achieved the highest sales performance across all tasks, winning eight out of ten, a feat second only on the all-time list. He broke two records during the show: most sales in one day (£4.3 million) and the “best advertising task ever seen on ‘The Apprentice’,” as credited by Lord Sugar himself. Awards won to date include Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Haines Watts), Key Person of Influence (Dent Global), and Marketing Campaign of the Year (Inspire Business Awards). 

 

About Speech and Language UK 

For at least 1.9 million children in the UK, learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle. We work to give every child the skills they need to face the future with confidence.  We design innovative tools and training for thousands of nursery assistants and teachers to use in their classrooms.  We give families the confidence and skills to help their children. And we put pressure on politicians to prioritise help for speech and language challenges.