6 months on and I still struggle write these words. In June 2018 one of my closest and oldest friends, Oli, took his own life at the tender age of 26.

I remember meeting Oli like it was yesterday: the alphabetically-ordered seating plan meant he was sat on my right in IT and within a couple of minutes we formed a friendship based on rollercoasters, indie music, and video games.

Time moved on and our relationship grew stronger. In our teenage years, we spent endless nights at each other’s houses, went up and down the country to see our favourite bands, completed Halo 3 on legendary, and travelled around South East Asia for a month.

But when we reached our early 20s, our friendship changed.

I didn’t understand why, but Oli became distant and we spent less time together. I was initially unaware, and foolishly naïve, of the mental health problems he was experiencing. What Oli was suffering from was bipolar disorder – a mental illness that causes severe bouts of depression.

These years were tough and frustrating for everybody who loved Oli. However, after 2 years of rehabilitation at a YMCA, the future looked bright. He was offered a place on a forestry course and passed his driving test – although the mental health issues remained.

It still doesn’t feel real, and writing this makes my head fuzzy and my stomach plunge.

After years of battling with mental health issues, Oli took his own life. That day, that horrible day, I lost a friend who I’d shared some of the best moments of my life with. A friend who was adored by his family and friends. A friend who was bright, conscientious, empathetic, kind, and always eager to please.

Worst still, it’s an all too familiar story told throughout the UK.

In 2017, there were 6,213 suicides in the UK and Republic of Ireland – and in a majority of these cases, mental health problems were the root cause.

Now, more research has found that one in three children in every classroom show some evidence of mental ill health such as anxiety, negative feelings, depression, and inability to focus. But most worryingly of all, evidence shows that three in four children with a diagnosable condition do not get access to the support they need.

In order to make sure the most vulnerable children and young adults get the help they need, through a sport that Oli loved, I’m running the London Marathon 2019 on 28th April to raise funds for Young Minds – the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.

The crisis in children and young people’s mental health is urgent and it is real.

By donating the same price you’d pay for a couple of pints, a meal out you’ll forget in a heartbeat, or a new top that’ll never make it out of your wardrobe, you could make a real difference in helping create a future where children get access to the support they need.

Thank you so much for your donations. And Oli, I hope you know how proud I was of everything you achieved. Missing you every day mate.