Hilarious as it may seem, I'm running 10k in July. It's not the longest distance ever run - indeed -  I know people who run that far before breakfast (you know who you are, I'm torn between respect and deep, deep suspicion)  but for a broken-kneed, fat-arsed lump like myself, whose closest link to anything involving health or sport (aside from a brief flirtation with the work netball team which mainly involved standing around smoking and complaining) is switching my pint of choice from lager to cider 'cos of the apples', it's going to be quite the event. A good friend of mine (Hi G!) once said that 'fundraising ain't meant to be a laugh so you can go on your jollies' so with that in mind and since I'm asking you to part with your hard earned pennies, I thought it was only fair to tackle something that, in any other context, I'd go out of my way to avoid. Since I can't get close enough to *redacted out of respect for Civil Service Code of Conduct* I'm going to go for a big old run.

 

I'm doing this in support of a charity very close to my heart - the wonderful Campaign Against Living Miserably - or CALM for you cool kids - to raise awareness of (and funds for )their work preventing male suicide, which is the single biggest killer of young men in the UK. I know - this shocked me when i first read it too. While smoking and knife crime make the headlines, suicide doesn’t.  Most men who take their own lives aren’t in contact with any other agency, and don’t identify with much out there.  From their research in 2012 with YouGov CALM know that 26% of people have seriously, or very seriously, considered suicide – and it’s pretty equally balanced between genders. What’s interesting is that it is men who go on to take their lives in much higher numbers. 

 

CALM don't claim to represent health professionals or the mental health industry.  CALM is about, for and on behalf of men.  They use young men’s peers, their voices and interests to reach them. Their materials and communications are created by young men – whether within an international agency or simply guys doing it off their own bat.  They seek to work with clubs, venues and brands with voices that men respect, feel comfortable with and trust to get their message across. CALM offer confidential, anonymous and free support, information and signposting to men anywhere in the UK through a helpline, have a website with articles to inspire, support and entertain and also produce the CALMzine  - a free publication available at their stores, student unions and select music and cultural venues across inner London. 

 

CALM's existence depends upon public donations, grants and commissioning.  They are currently funded by Health Commissioners in our CALMzones, grants from Comic Relief, City Bridge Trust and Henry Smith Charity and money raised by the public through fundraising events, memorial pages and challenges. They've made massive steps since 2012, including winning the Guardian's Charity Awards 2012 and IPC Media's Charity of the year for the past two years. However, none of this stuff comes cheap. For example, to run the helpline for just one day costs around £650. This is where we come in!

 

I know that times are tough and money is tight, and there's one of these fundraising requests round every corner. I know not everyone will be able (or even want) to help. That's cool. But if anyone does think that the idea of me running 10 whole K has enough lols on it, or has been interested enough in the info above to want to help me out, your donations would be received with gratitude and thanks. For anyone who wants a bit more info, here's the link to CALM's website - I'd strongly recommend a visit to see what they're all about.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this waffle. I'd be delighted to answer any questions anyone might have, regardless of their intention to donate. Equally, if anyone would like to suggest anything else I could (within the bounds of taste and reason) do to tempt you into parting with your moolah in the name of this impeccably good cause, then I'd love to hear 'em.

 

 

Lots of love

 

Poppy