Over the years I have struggled with my own mental health, from a young teenager I battled with self harm and eating disorders. As I got older I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, these are things that are always going to be a struggle for me and its only been the last few years that I've been able to say it out loud.

During these tough times I struggled to get the help and support I needed from the NHS and other services and after making the hardest step to ask for help I walked away from the waiting lists and appointments, this is due to the lack of funding and support these organisations have and by doing this I hope to raise much needed awareness and do as much as I can to help support Mind Devon. 

I'm one of many who suffer from some form of mental health difficulty, I know many others who haven't received the help needed and this can lead to life changing events, this is one of the hardest times the country has been through with people being left feeling so alone during isolation. I hope that there will be enough support in place to help those who ask for it and I want to play my part in helping make this happen.

I plan to run a full Marathon around the small island that I call my home, Lundy. It is only 3 miles long and .5 miles wide. During lock down us Islanders (staff) have been isolated here on Lundy and we will be until isolation ends.

This is the furthest I have ever run before, it will be on tough terrain with little support, its not quite how I imagined my first marathon to be but a challenge like this is the least I can do. I hope to help fellow sufferers needing the support that I found so hard to find and show them that people do care and life can get better.

Marathon date is to be confirmed due to continued isolation changes, I hope to complete this challenge at the end of May/ start of June and will add a date as soon as possible.

Marathon update : Run will hopefully be taking place on the 27th of May!! 

1 in 4 people experience mental health difficulties at some point in their lives. Whether that be depression, anxiety, stress, self-harm, personality disorder, bereavement or any other negative mental health experience, Devon Mind is here to support anyone who needs help. We cannot do what we do without the generosity of fundraisers and their donors. The harsh reality is that charities are doing more and more on less funding because of cuts to the health services. Thank you from all at Devon Mind.