This year, my brother should have been celebrating his 21st birthday.

I’ll be running 21 kilometers in his memory in the Heaton Park half marathon on the 5th of October.

My brother sadly took his own life, and not a day goes by that I don’t think about him — his smile, his laugh, his heart. Losing him has left a space in our lives that can never be filled, but I hope his story can help others find light in their darkest moments.

To honor him and raise awareness around suicide and mental health, I’m running a half marathon and fundraising for YoungMinds charity, a charity dedicated to supporting young people struggling with their mental health.

Every donation — big or small — goes towards helping others get the support my brother needed, and starting more conversations that could save lives.

If you can, please donate. If you can’t, please share. Let’s break the stigma, raise awareness, and show others that they’re not alone.

For my brother. For everyone fighting silent battles.

21km for 21🎂👼

Thank you from the bottom of my heart💗

YoungMinds is the UK's leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Driven by their experience, YoungMinds creates change so that children and young people can cope with life's adversities, find help when needed and succeed in life…