Mental health, good or bad, is something we all experience, and certainly for me, staying on top of my mental health is just as important as my physical health. The two are also hugely intertwined – for example while in my head I ‘hate’ running, the feeling at the end of a run is phenomenal, and my mood is boosted all day.

Supporting charities which strive to improve access to mental health resources, and work to provide and improve support and respect for those experiencing mental health issues, such as Oxfordshire Mind is important to me, and it seemed a no brainer to undertake a physical challenge when I was thinking about how to fundraise.

That is why I will be taking part in a 24hr endurance cycle ride from London to Paris on 30th April-1st May 2023 to raise money for Oxfordshire Mind.

This will be a genuinely huge undertaking for me: at the time of writing my longest continuous ride has been 39km, and my furthest total distance in a day 65km… so training is definitely needed! I can’t wait.

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.