Like many, many people around the world I have found life since lockdown quite a strange and challenging time – although gin at 5pm seems to be helping! Working 30 hours a week from home whilst looking after two little girls (aged 5 and 10), along with trying to provide some sort of education for them (yeap I have discovered I can't remember how to do fractions) has been pretty stressful.  

However pretty much since the day after lockdown started, I have been out running/walking at 6.30am with one of my two great running friends – something that has been my own mental health life saver! I can’t tell you how much it has helped my mental well being during these strange times.  I have always run with a friend (due to having MS and being a bit wobbly on my feet) and in the past have always listened to music whilst we ran! However, for the past three months instead of the greatest hits of Take That booming through my headphones it has been the responding, friendly chit chat of either Josie or Dan. I have now learnt how to run, breathe and talk all at the same time which is no mean feat I can tell you!

I did my first 10k at the Manchester 10k last year and I would love the opportunity to challenge myself to do this again….. and if I am honest beat my previous time! I’ve not run further than 5k in the last few months so am feeling pretty nervous about doing a 10k but I am always up for pushing myself out of my comfort zone! I always love a challenge!

MQ is the chosen charity for Stockport Homes Group this year and as I myself, along with many close friends and family have been affected by mental health at some point over the years I feel incredibly privileged to be able to support and raise money in aid of it.  

If you could spare a couple of pounds I would be SO, SO grateful and it would make the 90 mins (I’m hoping for 80 mins if I’m honest) so much more bearable and rewarding!

Thank you so much for taking the time to ready my blurb! Jen

Stockport Homes Group's Charity of Choice for 2020-2021 is MQ: Transforming Mental Health.MQ is the leading mental health research charity dedicated to tackling mental health through research. Their vision is to create a world where mental illness is understood, effectively treated and ultimately prevented. With 1 in 4 people being affected by mental illness each year, it is a reality that everyone has had experience with, whether at home, work or within the community. Stockport Homes Group is a strong advocate for mental health and will be working with the charity, helping MQ find out more about mental health to improve the lives of everyone affected. Stockport Homes Group has a busy calendar of fundraising events planned to support the charity with everything from bake sales to bingo, well-being walks to 10k runs.