Thanks so much for checking out my fundraising page! It has been a goal of mine for a while to complete a full marathon. Next April, I will taking on the London Marathon.

I'm running for Mind, who are a mental health charity. I feel that is so important to continually raise awareness of mental health issues so that people do not suffer alone and can receive the support and treatment they need on the road to recovery. I want to do my bit to help tackle the issue of mental health being misunderstood and misrepresented, and help those who are suffering on a daily basis. Mental illness can have a devastating effect on individuals, their friends and families. Everyone deserves to live a happy life, and thanks to charities like Mind, more people will be able to do so.

Though now no longer suffering, 6 years ago I was at point in my life where I was diagnosed with severe OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). In a nutshell, OCD is a mental illness in which sufferers are stuck in a habit of performing ritualistic behaviours, in the belief that these will prevent negative things from happening. In can manifest itself in many forms, but essentially the irrational feeling of dread is so debilitating that it makes it impossible to do everyday things - impossible to live.

The fear of bad things happening, feeling depressed and isolated and not being able to shake it is a horrible, claustrophobic place to be and many people who have a mental illness will feel this way. We need to be there to support people and give them reasons to be hopeful and positive, belief that they can get better.

On reflection, this is why the disorder escalated and spiralled out of control for me. I care so much about the wellbeing of others that the feeling of responsibility was too much for me. I now consider myself happy and healthy, and I want to help others to get there too.