Our CEO and founder Ross Linnett is taking on the Dyslexia Dash 2017 5k Run/Walk in Atlanta, Georgia, USA on Saturday (14/10/2017).
Ross is currently in Atlanta because Recite Me won a place on technology giant Sage’s Start-up exchange competition in Atlanta, USA, to help us to grow our business overseas.
We were picked as one of four start-ups that have travelled to Atlanta to take part in a programme to help launch Recite Me in the US market and grow our business in foreign markets.
The Dyslexia Dash is organised by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) as it celebrates October as Dyslexia Awareness Month in Georgia.
The Dyslexia Dash is the IDA Georgia branch’s biggest fundraiser and is due to attract more than 1,500 runners and walkers.
The morning is a fun-filled family event that also helps to increase awareness for struggling readers.
Recite Me is a gold sponsor of this year’s Dyslexia Dash and Ross will be putting on his running shoes to show his personal support for the event.
Although it’s a fun run we are expecting Ross to post a good time, as he is a former elite runner who was the joint second fastest sprinter in the UK over 100 meters in 1999.
No pressure then, Ross!
The steady growth of the Dyslexia Dash and participation of sponsors like Recite Me has helped the IDA Georgia branch to raise significant funds.
These enable it to provide teacher training and conference scholarships, information and support to families, and free community outreach events throughout the state of Georgia.
For example, the IDA Georgia branch has provided more than $40,000 back to the community for free and low-cost structured literacy teacher training, as well as over 40 free community outreach events in 2017 alone.
The run takes place on the fifth and final day of our involvement in Sage’s Start-up exchange in Atlanta.
The exchange programme was launched by Sage in partnership with the Department for International Trade, Newcastle City Council, Invest Atlanta, and the Atlanta Mayor’s Office.
It has connected us with national and regional decision makers and helped us engage with investors and business leaders in our industry.
Ross Linnett said: “I’ve had a brilliant experience in Atlanta as part of the Recite Me team taking part in Sage’s Start-up exchange.
“It’s great to mark the finish of the exchange with a run in the Dyslexia Dash.
“It’s an event that raises funds to help the great work that the IDA Georgia branch does to help people in Georgia who have dyslexia.
“I’m dyslexic so I understand the huge difference support can make to help people with dyslexia to thrive in everyday life.
“It’s a real pleasure for Recite Me to sponsor the event and for me to get a chance to get out for a run in the USA.”
Karen Huppertz, President of the IDA Georgia branch, said: “While as a 501(c)3 organization, IDA does not endorse specific products.
“We do, however, support and encourage technology like Recite Me’s web accessibility solutions that make websites more accessible to all people.
“As a 2017 Dyslexia Dash sponsor, ReciteMe is helping support IDA’s mission to provide resources and support for parents, educators and people affected by dyslexia.”
If you want to help people with dyslexia and make a donation to Dyslexia Dash visit their fundraising website now.
