In 2019 my incredible wife Natalie gave birth to our son Dean. Shortly after giving birth my wife experienced Postpartum Psychosis, a rare and serious but treatable mental health illness that can develop after having a baby.

In our case this was completely and incredibly unexpected. I can honestly say that Postpartum Psychosis has been the most frightening challenge we are ever likely to face.

Postpartum Psychosis is a relatively unknown maternal mental health illness that affects around 1 in every 1000 women who have a baby in the UK every year.

Natalie and Dean had a total of three stays in the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Bournemouth.

Despite the illness we have so many fond memories of our time in Bournemouth and the MBU.

The care the staff at the MBU provided for my wife and son was just amazing and we will forever be so thankful for everything they did for us.

During my wife's first stay at the MBU I found Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP). They are a maternal mental health charity who work to support those who have been affected by Postpartums, increase awareness, facilitate research into the illness and improve current services.

I have personally found the APP peer support scheme, and contact with another father who has their own experience of Postpartums, really supportive. Even at the most difficult of times.

At the beginning of this year my wife and I decided that it was time to do something to share our story and increase the awareness of this awful illness.

In January 2021 we decided to start running, with the goal that we would together complete a 10K run in the name of Postpartum Psychosis - SUNDAY 18TH APRIL 2021.

Any funds donated to our cause will be shared 50/50 between the Bournemouth MBU and APP so they can both continue with the great work they do.

Any donation would be most welcome, but even just sharing our page to help spread the word is a great help!

For more information and support please visit:

https://www.app-network.org