I'm doing this enormous challenge as a means not only to push myself generally but I know getting to the top will require me to dig very deep mentally to keep going.  It's not a comparison by any means of the daily challenges close friends and family have had over the years to even get up out of bed, to shower or to even smile, challenges give you a focus and hope, if you can make it by getting up in the morning or having that shower you're already on your way to a better mental space.  Digging deep is what they do everyday!

Mental Health is an enormous modern day challenge, I'd argue it's an epidemic!  When I first came across the terminology I'll be honest in admitting I don't think I quite fathomed the depth of the problem at hand or how I could have foreseen the ballooning of this depressive illness over time...nationally or globally.  I'm definitely not an expert and I definitely don't present myself as a medical professional but I can certainly empathise and I want to help in any small way I can.

Having good mental health is an enormous challenge for many people as I've mentioned, and not everyone has the vital support they need, and this is possible a financial dilemma to a large portion of sufferers.  Support has a variety of faces, some may have family, friends or trusted colleagues, others need professional and medicinal assistance to get through the tough days and some will get by with help and support from vital local groups like BIG.

My pledge to support BIG came a few years ago whilst working for my local community.  Knowing I wanted to do this climb for a local mental health charity, I personally met them first hand to listen to the kind of work they carried out and it was amazing to hear so many positive stories, which have only grown since.  The point I love about BIG is they aim to inform about mental health in a non-judgmental and supportive way; improving knowledge and understanding alongside their group sessions for Anxiety, Depression and recovery groups for anything from relationships to mindfulness.

BIG's website www.buryinvolvementgroup.org shares the fact that the Chair, Frances Halligan, was awarded Bury Woman of the Year 2011 for her services to voluntary work. 

Please support me in my challenge and know that, more importantly, every penny I can raise will go to support this amazing voluntary group do even more for those struggling....together, lets make people Smile!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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