In March 2018 myself and lovely colleague Mel, embarked on our first ever running journey, we both have the same aim and that's to run a half marathon on the 1st July 2018, to raise money for our local Perinatal Mental Health team.

Those who know us, will know that this running journey has not come easy, we have run in the ice, snow, wind, rain and more recently boiling heat!

We started with a nice 5k, and up to that day I couldn't run longer than 4 minutes, but little did we know at the time we would fly through that race together, running away as if we were natural runners!

Next up we completed our first 10k, on what felt like the hottest day of the year. This was a challenge and together we got through with our focus always being how we are going to get ourselves fit for our half marathon!

Why donate?
Perinatal Mental Health effects 1 in 5 women. 96% of women are already unwell with their mental health at the point of conception. Suicide continues to be the leading cause of maternal deaths. This is the serious bit, we aren't talking about mild worries about pregnancy, birth and beyond, we are talking about the pregnancy effecting that women, partner and family, birth trauma, complex loss, postnatal depression and at it's most severe postpartum psychosis.

So just think what about when someone comes to you and say they are pregnant? What's your reaction? That's great news? That's exciting? What about when it's not? What about women feeling they can't say they can connect to their baby, or they can't look at their baby? How do we respond then?

This is what our service is all about, assessment, treatment and care. Empowering women to be the mother they want to be because their mental health is treated and managed.

So come on everyone! Even 1 pound to donate will help massively. We will spend the money within Coventry and Warwickshire, improving the local service and empowering our team to provide more.

Half marathon here we come!