Hello, my name is Ellie and I am studying for a nuring degree at Leeds Beckett University. I have made the big decision to run the Leeds Marathon this year on Sunday 14th May and have chosen to support a charity I volunteer for called 'SHOUT'. 

Launched in May 2019, Shout is the UKs first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for children, young people and adults who are struggling to cope. I have been a volunteer for shout for almost a year now and have completed training in communication, listening, managing and assessing risk as well as problem solving skills. I have learnt that I cannot always help in the long term and there might not always be a quivk fix to everyones individual problems but that support in the moment and having a sense of empathy for someone can empower anyone to take the next steps to feeling better and in bringing them back from the edge. 

I take pride in the fact I have the skills and abilities to help someone through a difficult time and that I am involved in a community in which helping and supporting people is the goal. 

By doing this marathon not only do I want to help raise money for shout, I also want to raise awareness of the charity. So many people ar silently struggling and knowing that their are people out there that want to listen and provide support can make a huge difference. I did not know shout was a thing until I heard about it through university and started volunteering, so bringing awareness to this amazing charity and the volunteers behind it is the main reason I am running the marathon.

In October last year Ed Sheeran performed an intimate gig at London's Union Chapel in aid of Shout and raised more than £200,000!!! the gig was the first event from 'One Night Only' and 'Wellstock', an inative created by Will young to help raise vital mental health funds. my target is to raise £10 for every mile I complete so bring one th 26.2 miles and a target of £262.00!!

"Shout is a 24/7 mental health text service. Its there when people need it. If you text shout they text you back privately and its anonymous." Will Young 

Today and everyday we support 2,000 people who are struggling with their mental health. Just £10 pays for a life saving conversation with shout." - Shout. 

Highlights from the gig and more information about volunteering for and getting help from shout.  
Ed Sheeran gig raises £200,000 for Shout mental health text support service | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org)