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15 years ago this year my dad passed away with Leukaemia. For 20 years prior to this he suffered terribly with mental health issues and was unable to work. Agoraphobia, depression, anxiety and panic attacks were all part of his day and back then there was little support or awareness of these issues. As a young person back then, regrettably I had no awareness or understanding and consequently little tolerance of his struggles. 

Prior to his illness my dad encouraged me to go running most days to help achieve one of my goals  as a young kid to become National Junior Table Tennis Champion. This was not to make me a better player technically,  but a more physical, resilient and mentally tough opponent. He would ask me on the cold rainy days  ‘how was the run?’ I would say ‘tough’ to which he would often say ‘good, you’ll be tougher to beat’ I achieved that goal to be National junior champion.

I wish I had the awareness and tools to help him with his mental health struggles back then and that there was the support of the many fantastic charities that exist today.

In memory of my dad’s encouragement for me to go running and his mental health struggles I am aiming to run 160km from New Year’s Day to ‘Time to talk’ day (Feb 3rd) a global day of conversation. 

This will be to raise money for Northamptonshire Mind to help raise mental health awareness and support for those that need it most in the local community. 

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