For a while now, I’ve been trying to get into running. Like a lot of people, I found it challenging, and was struggling to get motivated. 

When my boyfriend suggested running a marathon abroad, the travel-loving half of me got excited. The run-hating half of me realised this might be the kick up the butt it needed!

So there you have it, I’ve got 6 months to train for the Rio de Janeiro marathon and I WILL DO IT. 

I’m raising money for CrossReach, a charity which offers FREE support to ANY vulnerable person in Scotland. This includes the homeless, the elderly, families, children, and the mentally ill. For a year, I was helped by the Tom Allan Centre in Glasgow, a branch of CrossReach, where I receieved free counselling for an hour once a week for as long as I needed it. The Tom Allan Centre never turns a client away, and you are never required to change counsellor. Once you have your spot, it’s yours for as long as you need it. 

The support I received at the Tom Allan Centre guided me through a difficult period in my life which required more attention than my friends and family could offer. These kinds of charitable services are absolutely essential for those who suffer from any kind of anxiety and depression, as those provided by the NHS and institutions such as schools and universities are often over-subscribed and limited to a certain number of sessions. 

For thousands of people across Scotland, their hour with CrossReach will be the light at the end of each week. Please help raise funds for this wonderful charity.