I'm raising £1,000 for a community project

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We are incredibly grateful to share that we have now raised over £2,000, which has enabled us to purchase a purpose‑built gazebo for the Hadleigh Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub. This will not only support our own events in and around the community, but will also be available for other local groups to borrow for their activities, helping us give back in a practical and meaningful way.

Our first event details are listed below, and this will be followed by our official launch at the Hadleigh Show on 16th May, where the gazebo will make its first public appearance. It’s a wonderful milestone, and it’s only been made possible thanks to the kindness and belief of the community around us.

The TCS London Marathon My Way.

The TCS London Marathon My Way sees tens of thousands of people taking part in the world's biggest marathon from wherever they are on the planet - at the same time as the mass event on the streets of London.

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Event Details – Join Me for “Walk and Talk”

This year’s TCS London Marathon My Way will take place on Sunday 26th April, and once again I will be completing the challenge right here in the heart of Hadleigh. Rather than running it in one continuous stretch, I will be completing the 26.2 miles by walking eight laps of the Hadleigh town route throughout the day, starting and finishing at the Market Place Suicide Prevention Bench.

Along the way, I’m inviting members of the community to join me for a lap as part of something I’m calling “Walk and Talk.” This is a chance to walk together, get some fresh air, take part in gentle exercise and simply talk if you want to. Sometimes the best therapy is just having someone alongside you while you unload that stress bucket, reframe a few thoughts, or share what’s on your mind. There is no pressure, no expectations – just conversation, movement, and community support.

You’ll see the route map in the image attached, and please remember this is a relaxed stroll, not a race. People of all abilities are welcome, and I will happily go at your pace. Bring the dog, bring the kids, bring a friend – or just bring yourself if you want some time to talk or reflect. Everyone is welcome to be part of the day and help turn it into something special for our community.

If you would like to join me for a lap on 26th April, please email the Hub at hadleighmhwhub@aol.com so I can put together a list and keep everyone informed of timings. As always, safety comes first, so please bring plenty of fluids and only take part if you feel your health and fitness allows.

The TCS London Marathon My Way is all about completing the 26.2 miles your own way, whether that’s running, walking, or strolling through the places that matter most to you. The official challenge takes place between 07:00 and 23:59 BST on Sunday 26th April, and for me there is no better place to do it than here in Hadleigh, surrounded by a community that continues to show compassion, strength and support for one another.

Start Line: The Market Place Suicide Prevention Bench, Hadleigh

Distance: 26.2 miles (completed across 8 community laps)

Together, step by step, we can raise awareness, raise funds, and most importantly remind people that they never have to walk through life’s struggles alone.

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For me, the TCS London Marathon My Way in Hadleigh is far more than a physical challenge. As a British Armed Forces veteran, my life has been shaped by resilience, service, and overcoming adversity. But the greatest challenge I have faced was the devastating loss of my daughter to suicide in 2014. That loss changed everything.

Through my own journey of trauma, recovery, and living with complex PTSD, I made a promise that her life would continue to inspire positive change. Over the past eleven years I have channelled that pain into purpose, taking on numerous marathons, cycling challenges, fundraising events, quiz nights, community stalls and delivering presentations across the country to raise awareness and vital funds for organisations including the Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes, Child Bereavement UK, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide, PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide) and Cruse Bereavement UK.

The support of the Hadleigh community has been incredible throughout this journey. Together we have shown what can be achieved when people come together with compassion and determination. In September 2025, with the community’s support, we installed two suicide prevention benches in Hadleigh. Places of reflection, hope and conversation for anyone struggling. Last year I completed the TCS London Marathon My Way here in Hadleigh for Cruse Bereavement Support, shortly after competing in the Invictus Games 2025. This year I am taking on the challenge again, but this time it carries even greater meaning as I raise funds jointly for Cruse Bereavement Support and our own Hadleigh Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, a project born from listening to the needs of our community.

The Hadleigh Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub have a clear mission: to create a safe, inclusive and community-driven space where people can access support, resources and connection when life becomes overwhelming. As we work towards becoming a Community Interest Company, our vision is to fund psychiatric assessments and therapies such as CBT, EMDR and NLP for vulnerable adults and young people who are often left waiting months or even years for help. We want to reduce pressure on local services while ensuring families can access support before crises develop. Alongside this, the Hub aims to deliver suicide prevention and mental health training across the community, support local groups and organisations, and create a network of understanding, resilience and hope. This marathon is another step on that journey proving once again that when a community stands together, even the most unthinkable challenges can be transformed into lasting change.