This year I will be running the Leicester Half Marathon with my heart fully on my sleeve. A complete turnaround for someone who hated running six months ago and couldn't run a mile. A 10k assault course for charity in April whetted my appetite and the next step beckoned.

I feel I really have to push myself this year, I'm not getting any younger (over 30 now!), I want the physical challenge but the ultimate goal is to represent my truly heroic wife and the support APP (Action Postpartum Psychosis) have provided to both of us. Giving something back is of paramount importance to me.

Postpartum Psychosis (PP) is a severe, but treatable, form of mental illness that occurs after having a baby. It can happen ‘out of the blue’ to women without previous experience of mental illness. PP normally begins in the first few days to weeks after childbirth. It can get worse very quickly and should always be treated as a medical emergency. Most women need to be treated with medication and admitted to hospital.

My wife encountered Postpartum Psychosis in summer 2013 after the birth of our daughter and then suffered a particularly nasty relapse in summer 2014. I encountered the comforting arms of APP during and after the relapse. They were there when I needed them and when my wife was well enough, when she needed them. The chance to speak to volunteers and other families going through the same experiences was and still is invaluable as we try to make sense of it all; To learn that you are not alone, despite the apparent destruction of your 'world'.

PLEASE HELP ME RAISE AWARENESS, SHARE AND HELP FUND THE INVALUABLE SUPPORT THAT SO MANY NEW MUMS NEED.

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 the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.