🏊‍♀️🚲🏃‍♀️PLEASE READ 🏊‍♀️ 🚲 🏃‍♀️ 

So at the end of 2019 I kept seeing everyone’s 10year challenge and it really struck a chord... At the end of 2009 I had the most blessed life but I never knew how fragile life is. I had two beautiful children and was expecting my third. I had a lovely home, was surrounded by family and friends, a good job and was training for a career I was passionate about but, most importantly, I had my mum - Gilly. 

As 2009 ended and 2010 began I had no idea what a life changing year I was entering. On 4th October 2010 my old life ended and I began a new one- a life I didn’t chose, a life I wish everyday wasn’t my reality, a life without my mum. 

Looking back over the last 10 years I never thought I’d survive the end of 2010 without her but on 4th October 2020 it will be a decade and I’m still standing. With my three beautiful children, sister, family and friends I have managed to create a new normal, albeit with a huge hole in it- which I try to fill daily by making my mum proud of her legacy.

However, bereavement is crippling, life -changing and life long. I was lucky; I was surrounded by people who loved me and most importantly was brought up by the strongest female I know who, in the 24 years that she stood having my back, gave me the strength survival required. Through my experience though I understand the mental health impact bereavement can have, how close you can come to not being ok when you lose somebody who is so important to you.

So whilst I didn’t want to share a ten year challenge looking back from 2019 to 2009, I wanted a positive start to 2020, to look forward to the next ten, to mark the decade with something Gilly would be incredibly proud of...

So on 31st December 2019, without too much consideration to the fact I don’t even own a road bike and haven’t ever raced in open water, I signed up to my first triathlon. Participating in this triathlon began as a mental challenge for myself- if I’m still standing after 10 years without my mum, what’s a swim, bike and run got that I can’t survive...?

However, if I can raise money for those who found bereavement too much, for people who suffered with their mental health, then why not make a positive impact like my mum did on the lives of everyone who was lucky enough to have her in theirs...?

As a mum myself, raising three children in 2020 and working with young children, I passionately believe good mental health services are vital. I want my children to have the happy and healthy childhood I was given so I know they are strong enough to tackle life- which is hard and can be so cruel and unfair at times. 

To everyone who got to this part of the story...? Thanks for keeping reading 😊

(🎵🎶cue some cheesy Westlife-keychange-xfactor-sobstory- type of music🎶🎵)

Now, whilst I’m relearning how to ride a bike on the roads and freezing to death in a frozen lake swimming, please dig deep and give as generously as you can to a life-changing charity. You never know when you might need them...

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