Who
You may know me as either Francesca, Fran, Pesc or Cesca. You may also know that I have had my fair share of run-ins (if you'll pardon the pun) with poor mental health. 

What/ Where
I have set myself the challenge of running the 2022 London Marathon for MIND, the UK's leading mental health charity. I have never ran beyond a half marathon before, but I want to challenge myself to the gruelling 26.2 miles in light of the challenges that individuals face with their mental health every single day. 

When
Running a marathon is so much more than just the one day (2 October 2022, by the way). As an events fundraiser myself who supports people doing their own marathons, I know that I have ten months of making some increasingly significant lifestyle changes. (Woo, carbloading, boo, giving up hours of a weekend morning to run in the rain). 

Why
In complete honesty, I consider my full (or as full as it will ever be) recovery from anorexia mostly luck. I don't believe that this should be the case for others, and neither do Mind. 'Moderate depression' also sits on my medical records, and my wellbeing and outcomes have been significantly influenced by various privileges I have-- a supportive family, and the option to pursue private therapy when this is inaccessible for so many people. 

I first came across Mind at a time when I had been considered to ill for treatment at one service, but not serious enough for another. At first, I had my doubts about how helpful free group therapy could be, but after four years of self-harming, I was desperate to try. Three years later, I am still incredibly grateful for the two therapists who gave up their own time to facilitate the group, and whose role-plays in practicing more constructive behaviours still play vividly in my mind (the wigs certainly helped).

As well as local groups, Mind also provide reliable information and support. They also put their expertise to use offering training for professionals and organisations, as well as campaigning to bring about change, so that recovery isn't down to luck, and so that mental health services are adequately resourced. 

How (you can support me)
Every donation of every size counts-- whether it's £10 for half an hour of online peer support, or £100 to pay a legal advisor for a day, empowering individuals to challenge mental health discrimination. 

I'll be updating my Justgiving page and social media with my fundraising and training progress, and every comment, like, and donation will give me a proverbial kick up the bum to get on that treadmill.

I have several fundraising plans leading up to the race- so if you fancy helping me run a bake sale, charity night or horrendous forfeit scheme,  please get in touch! 

All my love, Fran.