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I don’t want anybody to suffer due to poor mental health or mental illness alone.  I don’t want anybody to feel ashamed of mental illness and I want everyone to have the support they deserve. 

But the problem is, mental health services are so difficult to access.  For many, they’ll never get beyond 5 - 10 minute appointment with their GP.  And although talking services are available through self referral to IAPT in England, the service doesn’t cover the whole of the UK, often has long waiting lists and there is a growing push towards computer based therapy rather than talking to a qualified therapist (or human).  

Recovery from mental illness is possible and where mental health conditions are chronic they can be managed successfully.  But support is needed to do this.  Mind won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

So what’s this years challenge all about?  I wanted to step up on what I did last year.  But I don’t want to jump out of a plane or try some high adrenaline challenge.  I wouldn’t enjoy that and a challenge should be about something you’ll enjoy.  Especially when you’re doing it to promote mental wellness.  For me hiking and running are not only about fresh air and exercise.  They’re about getting some head space.  It helps me gain clarity.  It also promotes mindfulness, living in the moment and noticing the nature around me.  It not only helps my physical health, it makes a big difference to my mental health as well.  So I’ve signed up to seven challenges:

Challenge 1 - Five Peaks Challenge ✅ - Climbing five of the most demanding peaks in the UK in one day.

Challenge 2 - Colour Obstacle Rush ✅ - A 5km obstacle circuit whilst been covered in coloured powder, foam and anything else they can throw.

Challenge 3 - Lake District Challenge ✅ - Part of the Ultra Challenge Series, a 28km hike in the Lake District

Challenge 4 - Great North 10k ✅ - 10km route from Gateshead featuring the infamous ‘Slog on the Tyne’

Challenge 5 - Peak District Challenge  ✅ - Another Ultra Challenge hike, a 52km hike in the Peak District

Challenge 6 - Yorkshire Challenge ✅ - The third Ultra Challenge hike, this time in the Yorkshire Dales

Challenge 7 - Tough Mudder ✅  - The ultimate obstacle course and endurance event

I wanted to add a little more about why I’m doing this. I may be repetitive here. Mental health support is still lacking, people are still suffering. Charities are playing an even bigger role in supporting people and they can’t do this without funds. Even if you don’t have first hand experience of mental illness, statistics show that there are people in your life who are struggling or who have struggled. Whether or not they’ve chosen to hide it. In fact, the chances are that you know somebody who’s mental illness has been life threatening. 

Please help me raise funds for Mind so they can continue in their mission to ensure everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.

Even a £, $ or € makes a difference. Mind have the best and biggest collection of online resources I have seen, so even though they are a UK charity their resources are supporting people worldwide.

If anybody (who knows me) wants to join me on a challenge, just let me know.  If you want to follow my training and my challenges on Instagram, I am @leanne___r (thats 3 underscores)

This fundraising effort isn’t an individual activity.  It’s a collective effort between everyone who donates.  When you donate, you’re doing something amazing.  Every £, € and $ donated make a difference. A big difference.  Last year we raised £1702, this year I’d love to raise another £1300 to get the overall total to £3000!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.