Taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival is about more than the miles you run - it’s an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of local young people!

By getting involved, you are supporting Midlothian Young People’s Advice Service (MYPAS), a well-established local charity that has been championing the mental wellbeing of young people aged 10-21 across Midlothian and East Lothian since 1999.

MYPAS delivers vital, free and confidential support through counselling, Art Therapy, LGBTQ+ support service, and specialist Drug and Alcohol support services. Together, these services help young people build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and gain the confidence they need to enjoy life, feel connected to their communities, and achieve their full potential.

Many of the young people supported by MYPAS face multiple and complex challenges, often with little support available beyond the charity. These can include bereavement, trauma, abuse, bullying, disability, mental or physical ill health, caring responsibilities, family breakdown, substance misuse within the family, and the ongoing impact of economic hardship. MYPAS has a strong and trusted track record of working with vulnerable and hard-to-reach young people, providing a safe, compassionate and consistent space where they feel heard, valued and supported.

By running, fundraising and donating as part of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, you are helping ensure these essential services remain available to young people when they need them most. Every step, every pound raised, and every show of support helps create stronger, healthier futures for young people in our communities.