In a nutshell, I want to raise £100,000.00  for MIND. And what better way is there of setting yourself a challenge than by giving yourself a time limit? I want to achieve all this by the age of 30. 

Why you may ask? According to the Mental Health Foundation, 10% of children and adolescents (5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental health condition. That's a pretty big number. 

Not only is suffering from a mental illness debilitating but it can also be isolating. Individuals including myself and my immediate family who have suffered from mental health issues have often been hesitant in seeking help. Reasons for this can range from putting your low mood down to "just one of those days" or needing to "toughen up". But why do we disregard our feelings so swiftly, surely the days of the stiff upper lip have long gone? We all hurt sometimes. 

Speaking from my own personal experience; had I not been so ashamed of how I felt I would have sought medical advice much sooner. Not only would this have helped to ease my suffering but it would have helped the problem from developing further.

So how will I raise such a huge amount of money? In all honesty, I'm not that sure, it is a pretty daunting task. However, I will do whatever is needed to be done to help the cause of mental health awareness. If I can encourage just one individual to seek help sooner then I deem this all a huge success. But baby steps are always a good way to start and by that I mean bake sales, LOTS of bake sales.

I would be really grateful of any donations or advice on how I may fundraise effectively. Please contact me on Lowri.Beth.Thomas@Gmail.com. 

After all two (healthy) minds are better than one.  

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