As most of you know I recently lost my great friend Olly to mental illness.

I am running the Vitality British 10K London Run for the Campaign Against Living Miserably to raise money and awareness of mental health issues, and in memory of Olly.

Olly was bright, funny and full of energy. I watched him grow in confidence, talking his way into University to achieve a First Class degree. He had the biggest heart and opened it for everyone, he was loving and caring and always there when you needed him. As a boyfriend he went out of his way to make me happy and to treat me like a princess! He never faltered in his love for me and for everyone and never judged. He knew what it felt like to feel worthless and didn't want anybody else to have to feel like that.

Sadly, for as long as I knew him he was battling with depression, anxiety and other mental illness. Recently he lost that fight and took his own life. There is not enough awareness of mental illness, not enough understanding. How many times have you told someone to "just snap out of it", "stop wallowing in self-pity". It's not as simple as that. 

Help is available, and others suffering do not have to feel alone. CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably, exists to prevent suicide - the biggest killer of men aged between 20 and 45. With medical intervention, it's thought that most, if not all cases of mental illness are curable or at least manageable. But there are social and cultural barriers that prevent men from seeking help when they need it.

Charities like CALM can help support people like Olly in their time of need and help them to find their way again. Let's raise awareness for mental illness and help others win their fight.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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