Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

So for 2017, I thought why not challenge myself and set myself the goal of fundraising and running the London Marathon. I pretty much incorporate running into my daily cardio, and have done a few 10K runs on my own. A lot of people from my village recognise my out on my runs, but this will be a big step up for me. I don't tend to ask people for much earlier, so to raise £2000 and have people's support would mean a lot to me!

I am running for CALM, as I myself have experienced mental health problems, mostly depression and anxiety. As you'll read in a moment, suicide is one of the biggest killers in young men, and there is still a massive taboo of mental health, and how a man should act and express himself under the pressures of 21st Century life. For example any sign of weakness, emotionally or mentally is still viewed upon as affecting one's masculinity and making him less of a man.

Men phone CALM or get in touch about feeling down, work problems, being alone or splitting up, dealing with death, marriage and family issues, sexuality, drinking too much, worried about money, or just plain feeling miserable.

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About Campaign Against Living Miserably [CALM]:

CALM is a national charity dedicated to preventing male suicide in the UK. Suicide is the single biggest cause of death of men aged 20-45 here. In 2014, 76% of suicides were male. The charity was launched in 2006. 

CALM provides a free, anonymous and confidential helpline and webchat service, open every day from 5pm to midnight which gives any man the chance to offload and talk through problems. Our professional helpline staff offer support, information and help finding specialist services.

CALM campaigns and challenges a culture that insists that a man who seeks support is somehow less of a man. Being silent isn’t being strong and we need to push for change to improve suicide prevention policies and practices.

Please see their website [www.thecalmzone.net] for more information on CALM, with men talking about issues they face and a place where men can find out more about how to overcome some of these problems, along with articles and videos.  

You can also find copies of their award-winning magazine for young men, the CALMzine, available in Topman across the UK.

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It can cost £7 to receive just one Freephone call that can save a life.

£23 pays for someone to take calls for an hour.

£160 keeps a line open from 5pm to midnight for one evening a year.

Please remember to Gift Aid!