So, here's how we got here. OCD-UK have been running the 1.2 Challenge which involves walking 1.2 miles a day for 30 days. Thanks to lockdown, I've been doing a lot of walking to get daily exercise. I joked on Twitter that I was basically doing the challenge anyway, and then I was sent a fundraiser t-shirt before I could say no. I was then told it had to be an EXTRA 1.2 miles a day, so I would have to make an extra effort anyway. Sigh.

I'm joking, of course. Right now I walk around 6000-8000 steps a day, so I'll be aiming for at least 10,000 steps each day to make that extra 1.2 miles and then some. I'll start on Monday the 14th and I'll be getting up at 6:30 every day and that's definitely the worst part.

OK, so why OCD-UK? I've been involved for a long time now but never actually raised money for them. OCD is an incredibly misunderstood and horrible, debilitating illness that tore my life to pieces on two occasions. But with the right help, I've managed to beat it and rebuild an OCD-free life. I remember finding the OCD-UK website, after spending months without a diagnosis, and finally feeling the overwhelming relief that I had something that was understood, and more importantly, beatable.

The current global pandemic is making everything difficult, but for many sufferers of OCD with contamination themes (mini-disclaimer: despite the stereotypes, contamination is just one of countless themes it can take), it's a worst nightmare come true. And of course, that's not even mentioning the extra difficulty in accessing treatment during a pandemic. OCD-UK are doing what they can to help sufferers during this time, with their information, helpline, forums, new online support groups and upcoming online conference. I want to be able to support them in a small way during this time. Of course money is tight for many people right now, so it's absolutely fine if you want to donate but aren't able to. But whatever you can give would be amazing.

Thanks!

The official blurb that I didn't write and was already here before I arrived:

We are here for the estimated 1.2% of people living with and affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) here in the UK.We are here to support people through the difficult times, right through to recovery and everything in between, we are OCD-UK.Uniquely, the charity is completely service-user led, everyone involved in the organisation have personal experience of OCD, either directly or through a loved one.