Story
<p>I am 48 this year and if there was ever a good time to run a marathon this is it. So on 22 May I will be taking part in the 2011 Edinburgh Marathon.</p>
<p>I will be running for Rethink the charity for whom I have worked for the last 4 years and who exist to help people affected by mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.</p>
<p>1.5 million people or so in England are affected by a severe mental illness and the experience can often be devstating for the individuals concerned and their families. But it is possible to make a difference and those affected can recover a quality of life if they get the right help at the right time. Rethink provides information, advice and support work for people when they most need it and campaigns for better services and changes in attitudes towards mental illness.</p>
<p>This year I am dedicating my run to two friends from Rethink who both sadly passed away in the last 12 months: Janey Antoniou and Godwin Calafato. Both of them had either personal or family experience of severe mental illness and both of them were wonderfully inspiring in how they responded to that experience.</p>
<p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>