Thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page.

I started running regularly last August, although never further than a 5k. I was encouraged to try a 10k run with my local running club by a friend from the gym. Kerry dragged me round early one Sunday morning, I said to myself (as I could hardly speak at the time!) this would be the one and only time I’d do it just to prove to myself I could. After we finished I realised it was actually 9.5k so I decided to go back the following week to run a 10k. After that I was hooked, and in September I completed the Worth Way10k run in under an hour.

I've been running 2/3 times a week ever since and I run with the Black Dogs running club every Sunday at 9am! I've discovered it's actually quite a good cure for a hangover! This brings me on to my other hobby– drinking wine! I’m sure this is no surprise to those of you that know me well, but it was after several glasses of wine one evening that it seemed like a good idea to sign up to run my first half marathon, so here I am with the support of my family, friends and the black dog running club I’m going to try my best to complete it. I don’t know what’s going to be harder though, running the half marathon or not drinking wine the night before!!

After I had signed up to the half marathon I decided I’d like to try and raise money for charity. After recently hearing the terrible news that a friend had taken his own life I chose to raise money and awareness for the charity MIND. Unfortunately Steve saw suicide as his only way out and in his memory I'd like to raise money to support other people suffering with mental health issues in the hope they are able to get the help and support they need. I want to help prevent other families needlessly losing their loved ones in this way.

1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children experience mental illness, and many more of us know and care for people who do. Male suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20-49 years in England and Wales. By supporting MIND we can help fund vital support services, such as infoline, ensuring that the one in four of us who will experience a mental health problem can have somewhere to turn to.

Any donations will be really appreciated and will give me the confidence and determination to finish the race in Steve’s memory. Any support on race day would be amazing too, hope to see you there! 

Thank you for reading this, and thank you in advance of your support for this really worthy cause.

Lots of love

Deb’s xx