I was lucky enough to win a ballot place for the 2023 Marathon and I thought this was a good opportunity to do some fundraising. A lot of us have struggled with anxiety and other mental challenges, particularly through the covid-19 pandemic and so it felt like Oxfordshire Mind was a good cause for me to support. Donations to this cause will give me some much needed motivation on dark winter long training runs and on the big day itself!

1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any one year.Oxfordshire Mind helps over 30,000 people with mental health challenges every year. They promote good mental health through the provision of high quality services and campaigning for positive change.Their services include housing, talking therapies, benefits advice, a confidential and free information line, courses (such as ‘practical ways to wellbeing’), physical activity programmes, volunteering opportunities, and they facilitate over 60 peer-support groups each week.