Some of you may have followed this link because you know me, others may have just stumbled across this fundraising page.

Since the winter of 2012 I have battled with mental illness, going through periods where there seems to be no light or purpose in the world and other periods where life becomes enjoyable and worthwhile once more. 

One thing that has remained constant throughout this time is that if I am experiencing a difficult period I can just pick up the phone and talk to the Samaritans. The first phone call was difficult to make, but since then, on a number of occasions, simply having someone listen to me has allowed me to get through the day. 

Following a bout of depression in the Autumn of 2016, I decided it was time to do something different. As a means of keeping myself well, I am choosing to be more open in discussion of my battle with mental illness, and hopefully making more people aware. 

In deciding to be more open I chose to contact the Samaritans to ascertain if there was anything I could do to give back, to raise the profile of the fantastic work the charity do. As such throughout this year, whenever I'm racing you'll either see me in a Samaritans running vest, or with the logo on my tri-suit. 

Anything you chose to donate isn't for me, and the races I embark upon, I do this stuff for fun. What it is for is to raise the profile of mental illness in another area of society and allow for the Samaritans to keep doing what they do.

Thank you.