Hello Guys and Gals,

It's Mariam here. I just wanted to let you all know that on Sunday 11 September 2011 I shall be taking part in the Adidas 5K Women's Challenge in Hyde Park.

Before deciding to enter this race it was very difficult to know which charity to support as there are so many worthy ones. Personally I have already given £50 to Cancer Research and a lesser amount to Bowel Cancer as one in three of us will be affected by cancer in our lives. However for this race I have decided to give to another worthy charity that doesn't always get the column inches it deserves in the Press and that's MIND. One in four people will suffer poor mental health at some point in their lifetime even if it is just mild depression, anxiety or a one-off panic attack. It is still a big taboo. And like cancer everyone will have a friend or relative that has been affected by poor mental health at some time (as with cancer.)

So that's where I come in - let's dig deep and support a charity that helps people with mild or severe mental health issues not only get back on their feet but flourish in order to lead fulfilled, joyful lives.

Thanks for just giving whatever you can.