Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online!

Hi all,

My name is Valerie Gibson and for those who don't know me I have been working as a Community Mental Health Worker for Rethink for the past 4 years.  Mental health is a cause very close to my heart and at the end of October 2008 I will be doing a 10 day trek in Peru with my friend and college, Hazel Murphy, to raise money and awarness for Rethink & mental health in general. I have already started my training and I am really looking forward to the challenge.

Throughout the year I will be organising and participating in many fundraising events - we have just completed the Belfast Marathon and raised £289! A big thank you to all who helped!

Our next event is going to take place at Ownies in Carrickfergus on saturday 7th June- be great to see you all there!

I have also joined a gym and gave up my 30 a day smoking habit! It's been really tough but it will be worth it when I reach my target and realize that I've done something for such a good cause.  After suffering from depression, eating disorders and self harm I know how it can feel to hit rock bottom. I was lucky to find amazing people in my life who helped me through the hell and back to enjoying life again. Now I want to give just a little back and what better way to do this than to help a charitable organization gain some of the means to do this.

Money raised will go towards the costs of the trek and that is why we put our goal up to £6,000. All costs of fundraising- registration fees, venues etc are paid out of our own personal finances.

I'm asking that people donante as little as £2. It may be the price of a pint to some but to be others it could be a ray of hope  :-)

Thanks for your support!

Vals x

 * Rethink helps over 7500 individuals with mental illness EVERY DAY

* For those lucky enough to avoid having the personal experience of having mental illness the chances of knowing someone who is experiencing it is extremely high

*  Mental health services are highly underfunded coming far down the list for government monies.

* Mental health charities receive one of the lowest rates of public donation overall

All donations large or small are very much appreciated as is passing on the link to this page to others.

For more info on Rethink and the services they provide please go to: www.rethink.org

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Rethink will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Valerie Gibson.