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. 

For us, this was completely and incredibly unexpected. 

Postpartum Psychosis is the most frightening challenge we are ever likely to face. 

Postpartum Psychosis is a relatively unknown maternal mental health illness that affects around 1 to 2 in every 1000 women who have a baby in the UK every year. 

During the first year, Natalie and Dean spent three months in the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Bournemouth. 

The care the staff at the MBU provided was just amazing and we will forever be so thankful for everything they did for us. We will never forget them.

Almost 4 years on we have now welcomed our daughter Gemma. 

Thankfully we havent required the support of a MBU this time, but the thought and risk of Postpartum Psychosis has been ever present. 

During my wife's first stay at the MBU in 2019 I found Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP). They are a maternal mental health charity who work to support those who have been affected by Postpartum Psychosis. They work to increase awareness of this awful illness, to facilitate research and improve current services. 

Myself, my wife and my mum are all now involved with APP including their peer support schemes and grandparent, mums and dads online cafes. 

In 2021 my wife and I ran 10k in the name of Postpartum Psychosis, raising an amazing £1700 for our MBU and APP.

This year, on SATURDAY 4TH MARCH 2023, we will be walking a coastal half marathon for the cause. 

We will be walking our 14 miles from our MBU to Hengistbury Head and back. 

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

Any donation would be most welcome, but even just reading and sharing our page to help spread awareness is a great help.

For more information and support please visit:

https://www.app-network.org