This year, I'm running the Cardiff Half Marathon to support Cardiff University with their research into neuroscience, mental health, and cancer. 

Why did I choose to support this cause?

Sadly, 2022 will mark the 15th anniversary since we lost my Dad, Alan Bennett, to depression - so mental health is a hugely personal and profound part of our family's life. 

Worryingly, it’s estimated that, every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. Even more worrying a statistic is that suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged under 45 in the UK.

Hundreds of thousands of people are still struggling daily - a struggle undoubtedly worsened by the stigma which still exists surrounding mental health issues.

By fundraising, I'm keen to raise awareness of the great support that mental health charities and researchers offer, and to help bring an end to this stigma that’s attached to those who suffer. I’m a firm believer that mental illness doesn’t discriminate, in the same way that cancer doesn’t - nobody can claim to be immune to it.

On that point, after losing my gorgeous aunt Sian to lung cancer a few years ago, I'm also determined to raise as much money as I can to bolster cancer research wherever possible - so the Cardiff University alumni fundraising scheme was ideal for supporting both vital areas of research. 

Where will your money go?

Fundraising will support the next generation of researchers, to help accelerate life-changing discoveries to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for people living with a wide range of conditions.

Cardiff's neuroscience and mental health researchers are developing new treatments for a wide range of debilitating conditions including ADHD, depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimers. 

Cancer researchers at Cardiff University are improving outcomes for people living with some of the most common cancers such as breast, prostate and bowel, as well as those that are rarer or hard to treat.

And finally...

... an enormous thanks in advance to those who can spare any amount to the great causes - I can’t express enough my gratitude for any donation you can give. I can only assure you that your hard-earned money will go to worthwhile projects which are very close to my family's heart.