On the 3rd October 2021 I will be running the London Marathon to raise funds for Mind

I have struggled with my mental health for over half my life and have spent the majority of that in and out of hospital. These illnesses have taken so much from me and still try to every single day.

I have not only been through my own struggles and endless hospital admissions with BPD, anorexia, bulimia, anxiety and PTSD, but I have watched so many others suffer and sadly far too many lose their lives. I’ve witnessed over and over the flaws and chaos of our mental health system and the stigma surrounding these life changing (and horrendously for some life-ending) diagnoses.

Mental ill health needs to be something we can talk about, it needs to be something that when you are struggling you can get the help you need, early on and at the intensity and specialty that you need it. No one should feel they are not sick enough or that their mental health does not matter.

Mind is a charity very close to my heart and which I have done volunteer and Media work for to raise awareness of mental health conditions. Mind works to get out the message around mental health,challenge stigma, to support those who are struggling (and their families / friends / careers), and to fight for better services for those that need them. I may not be able to raise millions for them but I would like to acknowledge what they do and help in anyway I can.

As someone who has struggled with an eating disorder for around 17 years now, exercise has always been something I have had a very fractured relationship with. I do however love to run and I’m hoping that having this target and doing this for these amazing charities will keep my focused not just on helping them and others, but also looking after myself and my own mental health.

I will keep this page updated with my training ( just scroll to the Strava section below) and check in regularly. Can’t wait to be part of such an incredible event , good luck to everyone!

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/runs_and_smiles

Media coverage

https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/woman-who-struggled-mental-health-5830003?fbclid=IwAR2VU3PEyeaHP0DSUTg-2y-6JSXpodLmBRs3nJ8CFHkl7dLE6VsQYR0iRrQ