Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I’m Nicola Ball and in 2016 I was diagnosed with PostPartum psychosis after the birth of my daughter. A relatively unknown mental illness that affects 1-2 in 1000 births. 

This year to raise money and just as importantly raise awareness I will be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 10th October with my amazing friend Jeni Dibley-Rouse. Who has been incredible. 

But we need all the support we can to get us round on the day so once again I’m looking for some challengers. So week commencing 4th October why not join us to complete your own Half Marathon distance to cheer us on! 

Just like last year do it however it suits you Run, Walk or Cycle ( I’ll accept any other movement too ,your call) complete in teams, as an individual and over as many days as you want . Rope as many people in as you can. 

Pledge some cash on the page for APP as it’s cheaper than a gym membership and lastly tell people what you are doing  it in person and on social media. 

Here’s the hash tag

#MilesForMumsAndBabies

So why do this and why help? 

This year APP’s fundraising challenge is miles for mums and babies reflecting the journey mums, babies , partners and families travel to be together whilst mums receive care in Mother and Baby Units. 

They are looking to raise over £10,000 to support the work of Action on Postpartum Psychosis. They campaign for Mother and Baby Units (MBUs), so that mums affected by postpartum psychosis can receive the treatment they need. They raise awareness of postpartum psychosis, provide support and information to mums and families affected, train health professionals and conduct research to better understand the illness. 

Read on to understand more of what your money will go towards. 

Run an award-winning peer support service, connecting women and families throughout the UK to recovered volunteers: 

Develop patient information for women who have experienced PP and their families, co-produced by women, families, specialist clinicians and leading academic experts.

Offer training to frontline health professionals in PP and Managing SMI in pregnancy, co-produced and co-delivered by academics, clinicians and women with lived experience.

Facilitate research into the causes of PP, treatments and what helps families to recover.

Promote greater public awareness of PP in the general public, working to address stigma and misinformation, and campaign for improved perinatal mental health services.

Please join this challenge to help this amazing charity!! Please share your photos too and I will be sharing them all throughout the week. X