Hello my name is Fred and on April 23rd 2017 I will be running the Virgin London Marathon to raise funds for two local causes. The first is MIND's Fareham Wellbeing Centre and the second is Highlands HUB.

By the time the Virgin London Marathon 2017 comes around it will be nearly three years since by best friend was taken from his family and friends by Depression. Although I saw and spoke to him nearly everyday leading up to the event, I never realised things were so bad that in his mind taking his own life was the only way to be set free.

The impact this had on his family and friends cannot be overstated, for me it was one of the most difficult times of my life. However, I was given support and guidance to help me navigate through what often I saw as a dark and lonely path.

Depression can affect anyone, it does not care who you are, where you live or what you do for a living.

Fareham's Wellbeing Centre provides a recovery focused wellbeing service which is an exciting new development in mental health and promotes choice and control with a varied recovery focused program. For more details please cut and paste the following link http://farehamandgosportmind.org.uk/index.html

When I was diagnosed with cancer some years back it was my family, friends and my Community that helped support me throughout. I believe each and every Community is so important. Knowing there is someone there to help you by offering advice and/or guidance is at the very least a comfort. However, a Community can be so much more than that.

The Highlands HUB provides a Community Social Hub, offering a place to seek help and advice. It also provides many services including the Citizens Advice Bureau, IT learning, I-Talk Counselling and a place to just have a cuppa, sit down with friends and talk about anything and everything. Strong Communities promote support for all.

For more details please cut and paste the following link http://www.highlandshub.org/