This Sunday, I'm going to run 7.8k to support the small charity I work for - Our Time, who help children who have a parent with a mental illness. Under non-lockdown circumstances, the children and young people are supported through workshops, but we're now having to change our approach to support them virtually.

What's the significance of 2.6?

Sunday 26 April is when the 40th London Marathon would have taken place. As we're only allowed out for a limited time each day and I am no way in shape to run a marathon, I thought I'd set myself a challenge that difficult but (hopefully) achievable! So, I'll be running 2.6k (x3).

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect with the cancellation of thousands of events and the loss of billions in income through fundraising events. The 2.6 challenge has been set up to raise much-needed funds for charities like Our Time.

About Our Time

When a parent suffers from mental illness it is rare for anyone parent, teacher, or even social worker to know how to discuss the illness with the child. The children are often confused and frightened. They may be bullied at school if they reveal their secret, and commonly fear they will catch their parents illness. Research has shown that an estimated 3.7 million young people are affected by this issue, and at present most receive no attention or support. Our Time is campaigning for and supporting these young people to ensure they get the right help early on and to prevent them from becoming patients themselves.