Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to fundraise for MIND, a leading mental health charity in the UK, so I'll be taking on their challenge of running 27 miles in 27 days.

Mental health wasn't something I had properly taken notice of until I started university. I knew I was an anxious person at sixth form, often stressing about exams or general life, but things took a turn when I began uni. I wasn't prepared for the massive changes that come with uni life - new academic challenges, new people, and particularly, a new place to live. I had thought that the first year of uni would be the most exciting year of my life - but that wasn't the case for me. 

I became a completely different person, quiet and reserved. I didn't recognise myself, and knowing no one at uni made me even more anxious. I would occasionally let family and friends know how I was feeling, but no one at university knew the state of anxiety I had got myself into. At the worst point, I didn't leave my uni room for days. After a difficult Christmas debating with myself whether I actually wanted to go back to uni, I decided 2018 would be the year I turned things around. 

I'm now loving uni, my course and my amazing friends, and although sometimes I struggle with pressure, with their help I can deal with it. But, when I look back at how I spent my first semester of uni, I wish I had reached out to an organisation like MIND.

MIND (mind.org.uk) are a mental health organisation that have been around for over 70 years, providing mental health advice and support to people of all ages, as well as listing local mental health support centres. It's an incredible resource and I want to raise money for them so students, like me, can avoid feeling anxious and lonely at university. The 27 miles in 27 days challenge aims to raise money to support the 27% of students who report a mental health problem during their time at university. Anyone who knows me will know that running is definitely not one of my talents (at age 10 I entered a kids 1 mile fun run and gave up after 50m.. and I definitely walked every cross country at school) but I'm determined to do this!!

Finally, I'm the luckiest girl alive to be surrounded by the amazing family and friends I have, who have supported and continue to support me throughout my life and time at uni. I'm doing this for them, for me and for anyone who's battled with mental health issues in their life. 

Please donate!!