Following on from Mike's awesome 3 marathon challenge and fundraising in October last year, Diane and Mandy are weeks away from their 1 marathon challenge in April, with painful, distance training on the agenda most weekends - LONDON HERE WE COME - AGAIN - THIS TIME TOGETHER!!! 

We hope to add further funds to Mike's fantastic total in memory of a dear friend Chris Pauli and to support the work of the Mental Health Foundation. Importantly, the Mental Health Foundation don't just provide support for those affected by the whole spectrum of mental health issues, they also conduct and disseminate research into mental health issues.

Any contributions towards our fundraising will be gratefully received.

Many Thanks

Diane & Mandy

Words from Mike prior to his challenge in October 2016:

Cancer's a bitch, right? We all have at least one loved one that we've lost to this dreadful disease. But whilst she may make her way into and through your body quietly, ultimately she causes physical devastation of organs, bones and tissue on a grand scale. There's no subtlety to the way she ends a life.

There are, though, stealth killers out there. These are the ones that slip under the radar and, quite literally, burrow their way into the mind. The emotional impact they have is just as devastating; sometimes even more so because the loss of a loved one comes like a bolt from the blue with no prior warning.

Mental health issues are the ultimate ninja... they pervade everyday life but creep around unseen and unheard.

The biggest killer of men under the age of 45 is the act of taking their own life - FACT;

41% of men contemplating suicide have never spoken to anyone about their feelings - FACT;

On 10th May this year, I was hit like a bolt from the blue when my best friend took his own life - FACT.

I had known Chris for 10 years. He was my best friend - generous with his time, his knowledge, his sense of humour and his warmth and affection. He loved music and football, and had a zest for life and the adventures of new experiences. He always took pride and pleasure in providing for the family he loved, and he had a passion and respect for the company he worked for and the colleagues that he worked with. And yet... for some reason, this guy that had so much to live for decided one day that his wife and three children (aged 11 years, 7 years and 6 months) were better off without him in this world.

In my sheltered world I had never really come across mental health issues before. Depression at the loss of a loved one, yes - but suicide, no. Over the following days, my mind tried to process what had happened... questioned what I could have done to help... questioned why he didn't reach out to talk to me... and questioned what could possibly drive someone who clearly had so much to live for to take their own life. My answer... the only logical one - a disease can be mental as well as physical. And every disease ultimately has a cure.

So, the Brocklesby family have decided to support the Mental Health Foundation and raise funds in memory of Chris. Importantly, the Mental Health Foundation don't just provide support for those affected by the whole spectrum of mental health issues, they also conduct and disseminate research into mental health issues.

The first challenge is myself attempting to walk 3 marathons in 3 days along the North Cornwall coast (October 7th, 8th and 9th) in an event know as the Atlantic Coast Challenge. Day 1 is effectively Padstow to Perranporth; Day 2 Perranporth to St. Ives and Day 3 St. Ives to Lands End.

In April 2017, my wife, Di, and her very dear friend, Mandy, will then be running the London Marathon - on the 20th Anniversary of her first running in this event! But more on that nearer the time... and as a warm-up she will be running the Great North Run this Sunday, 11th September.

So for now, if you could see your way to sponsoring my efforts on behalf of such a worthy cause I would be truly grateful. And if you've managed to read all the way to the end of this post, you've shown great stamina and fortitude :)

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.