Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page to raise money for Mind (www.mind.org.uk). 

After 7 years of entering the ballot, this year I was successful in obtaining a place and have chosen to run to raise money for Mind. This is a charity very close to my heart, especially the Blue Light programme.

1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind in England over the next year and that number is higher for those in the emergency services.

Mind's 2016 survey of 1,600 staff and volunteers from police, fire, ambulance and search and rescue services found that one in four (27 per cent) people had contemplated taking their own lives due to stress and poor mental health while working for the emergency services, while nearly two thirds (63 per cent) had contemplated leaving their job or voluntary role because of stress or poor mental health. 

Additionally, over 9 in 10 (92 per cent) respondents had experienced stress, low mood and poor mental health at some point while working for the emergency services, while a staggering 62 per cent said they had experienced a mental health problem – such as depression, anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia – while working or volunteering in their current or previous Blue Light role. 

Blue Light Together is the place for UK emergency services staff, volunteers, retirees and friends and family to find information, ideas and support to help look after their mental health. I hope that the money raised here can go towards supporting emergency workers and those closest to them.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to Mind. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

THANK YOU!!

Ella xXx