​In July, I will be participating in two 10k races in two weeks - the Healthspan Porthcawl 10K on Sunday 7^th July and the Mic Morris 10k on Sunday 14^th July.

As some of you may know, I have encountered various struggles with my mental health throughout my adult life and have been quite open about the challenges I’ve faced in living with depression, anxiety and OCD.

In an attempt to address some of these obstacles, I checked into the Priory Hospital in Bristol and completed a thirty-day inpatient programme in August 2017.

In the first few months following treatment, my weight ballooned from 13 stone to a whopping 17 stone. By focusing on my mental health, I very much neglected my physical health.

With the help of a truly fantastic personal trainer - Lucy Phillips – I’ve not only managed to get my weight back under control, but I’ve also discovered a passion for running.

A major challenge with my mental health over the years has been my inability to switch off from life’s worries, particularly the stress that accompanies my career. But running seems to be the one thing that helps me escape from things, if only for a short while.

After a couple months of getting back into the habit of consistently running 5k following a recent surgery, I’m looking forward to a new challenge.

It also presents a great opportunity to raise funds for a cause that is very dear to my heart.

In 2013, my wife – Andraya - became seriously unwell with what we later discovered to be Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It can cause immense pain and is incredibly debilitating. In Andraya’s case, it almost proved fatal on several occasions.

Her illness has robbed us both of so much and for large parts, hospital had become like a second home. It stopped Andraya from achieving her lifelong ambition of becoming a zoologist and has left her restricted in being able to enjoy the most basic of things that many of us would take for granted.

It has also left us unable to ever have children of our own and this is something which I’ve found particularly difficult to come to terms with over the years.

Despite these challenges, Andraya has been inspirational in forging a successful career as an award-winning dog groomer and she battles through the pain every day. She has refused to let her life be defined by Endometriosis and I couldn’t be prouder of her.

So, as I take on this new challenge of completing two 10k races in two weeks, my bigger goal is to try and raise £1,000 for Endometriosis UK, a leading charity that provides vital support services, reliable information and a community for those affected by Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is still a vastly misunderstood condition and the longer it takes to realise a diagnosis, the more detrimental impact it can have on those who suffer with it.

By making a donation, you will be contributing to ending the suffering of countless women across the UK by advancing research and treatment approaches.

I thank you for your time, consideration and generosity and I will do my best to make you all proud in the coming months.