Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Against my better judgement, I have decided to run in my second marathon. I think I have conveniently forgotten how tough it was in Brighton last year. However, having worked most of my life in the area of mental health and now enjoying a kind of retirement as a "gig psychologist", I feel strongly about the scandalous under-funding of statutory mental health services in the U.K. The needs have never been greater, and it is increasingly falling to the third sector to try to meet those needs.

This page is specifically raising funds for Kettering Mind as it is my local charity, so apologies for any sense of parochialism. A good deed is like a pebble dropped into a pond - the ripple patterns are more important than their point of origin.

Current statistics show that one in four of the population will suffer from mental health problems at some point in their lives. Charities like Kettering Mind play a vital role in helping people with mental health problems and their families, by giving them time, information and practical support. They also play an important role in campaigns to raise awareness, challenge stigmas and highlight discrimination in mental health. Every £1 raised will go towards this work. And every £1 donated will make each stumbling step I take in Edinburgh that bit more endurable!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for Kettering Mind.