Dear All,

In a couple of weeks, we will be running the Hackney Half Marathon. We have managed to assemble a team of ten enthusiastic (although some fairly ill-equipped) runners and we will be dragging our sorry selves across 13 miles of East London. 

We will be running in aid of The James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial
Fund, an important charity which does invaluable work supporting men who struggle with mental health.  In particular we are hoping to raise awareness (and funds) for this charity’s newest project, James’ Place, a non-clinical centre for men experiencing suicide crisis, located in Liverpool.  This centre will provide essential support and care to men in a truly desperate situation.  It will fill a critical gap in our country’s mental healthcare framework and in our society’s perception of men’s mental health.

Last year, my brother and I sadly lost our stepfather, Michael Treichl, to suicide.  Our mother lost a husband and our younger siblings lost a father.  Therefore, the values espoused by the James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial Fund are incredibly close to our hearts.  Not only in terms of changing the way that we view and treat men’s mental health but also in terms of being able to draw something compassionate and constructive out of a tragic event.

We are so moved by all our amazing friends and family who are running with us - George Hattrell, Rachael Roden, Tom Alun Jones, Peter Hughes, Robbie Doyle, Jerome Hoyle, Ed Barry, Niamh Bermingham McDonogh - you're all complete heroes!

Any donation, however big or small, would be hugely appreciated.

All the best,

Sofia and Carlo