Escape2Make aims to benefit young people and their communities through the power of creativity. Where social media which can bring isolation and low self-esteem to young people, we aspire to help young people find and develop their creative passions, empathy, wellbeing and friendship groups through a calendar of inspiring, creative workshops, short courses and events. These are open to all secondary school age children (11-18) and are offered for free.

Why am I doing this?

As a teenager, I would have loved the opportunity to go along to somewhere like Escape2Make to enjoy a safe space away from home and the pressures of school to work on creative projects and make new friends. 

I was a creative teenager who felt like there was nowhere for me to go and be myself. As an introvert I wasn't a huge fan of performing arts (although I did dabble), and having Aspergers I struggled with the dynamics of team sports - so the usual after school clubs either didn't appeal to my interests or weren't affordable for my family.

I grew up with first hand experience of bullying, mental health difficulties and specialist learning needs. Art was one of the only things I enjoyed with my friends; it offered me an outlet for my feelings, but also helped to give me a sense of purpose at a time when I honestly didn't want to be alive.

Now I'm 28 years old, and although I still (and will always) struggle with symptoms of Clinical Depression and Autism Spectrum Disorder - my creative interests help me stay balanced.

This is why I want to raise money an awareness of this new charity, so that more 11-18 year olds can benefit from the brilliant work these guys do.


Why Strongwoman?

At 23 years old I discovered strength training. I'd joined up at the local leisure centre with the aim of getting fit and feeling better about myself. Having worked as a Photographer for a few years, I was used used to carrying heavy gear around for a long time and had subsequently developed a decent level of strength (for somebody who was not fit at all). So while I was rubbish at running, I could lift weights - and that was something I could feel pleased about!

As I got better at weightlifting, I started to feel a sense of achievement and pride for the first time in ages. Depression has this way of making you doubt yourself endlessly, but being able to add more weight on to a bar and achieving new personal records showed tangible, undeniable progress.

Fast forward a few years of training and watching local strength competitions and events - a couple of gym friends were egging me on to compete in 'Strongman' or Stongwoman (ladies have a category too and the sport has grown in popularity among women - woohoo!).

I thought to myself - actually it looks like a lot of fun and there is a brilliant sense of camaraderie among competitors. I'd seen how these really strong women cheer each other on and empower each other despite having their own mental and physical struggles, day jobs, kids, stuff going on outside of the gym. The same is true of Strongman/woman, Powerlifting and Olympic lifting - there's a strong sense of community and support and belonging which is really incredible.

So here we are - I'm giving it a try and if I can raise some money for a good cause and help some people then i've already won.

Please give whatever you can to help towards Escape2Make's vision of improving lives and strengthening communities of the Lancaster and Morecambe area!

Thank you for reading.