Thanks for taking the time to visit my fundraising page.

When I was 9, I was diagnosed with OCD and since then, I’ve engaged with therapy and treatment to help me through some of the most difficult times with my mental health. I’ve been so lucky to have family and good friends to support and listen to me.

Samaritans make sure everyone has someone to listen.

I’m privileged to be a listening volunteer for Bromley and Orpington Samaritans branch. Being a listening volunteer was described as “imagining that you are jumping into the bottom of a very deep well and sitting there, in the darkness, with the caller, who cannot see their way out”.

Every 90 minutes, someone dies by suicide in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Samaritans respond to a call for help every seven seconds – there is no judgement or pressure – just a person, at the end of the phone, waiting to listen.

Samaritans are working to change the narrative around suicide. They campaign for policy, carry out research, spread awareness, produce educational materials and have outreach teams working with schools, workplaces, prisons and railway stations in an effort to reach as many people as possible.

I want to raise awareness of the work Samaritans do by running a two-part challenge; the London Marathon on the 23rd April and from the 23rd July, running 24km a day for 7 days in a row, to highlight the 24/7 presence that the service runs, ending with the Battersea Park Half Marathon on the 29th July.

Please consider donating so Samaritans can continue their amazing work. Looking forward to the 29th July when I’ll most likely be crawling, not running, over that finish line!!

Take care, stay safe and thanks for reading,

Jack x

Samaritans - 24/7 - ☎️ Call 116 123