Running for ADHD UK 💜

My side quest: raising awareness, breaking stigma and helping others understand ADHD.

Last year, I raised over £1,000 for The Christie through running and charity challenges. This year, I'm running for a cause that is deeply personal to me: ADHD UK.

In February, I received a private diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood, following years of struggling with things I didn't fully understand. It came after a period of horrendous burnout, and it forced me to look back at my life through a different lens.

ADHD isn't simply being distracted, disorganised or having too much energy. For me, its impact has reached into relationships, employment, emotional regulation, anger and the coping mechanisms I've developed over the years.

I've experienced the frustration of struggling with things that other people seem to manage effortlessly. I've seen the impact that can have on the people around me, as well as on my own confidence and wellbeing.

A diagnosis doesn't magically fix everything. It doesn't undo difficult experiences or remove responsibility for how we behave. But understanding why certain things have been difficult gives you a starting point to make changes, find healthier coping strategies and build a better future.

How running changed things for me

Over the last 18 months, I've lost around 20kg and transformed my relationship with exercise. I went from struggling to run even a kilometre to taking on increasingly demanding running challenges, with a half marathon now firmly on the horizon.

Exercise has become one of the most effective tools I have for regulating my ADHD, managing my emotions and maintaining my wellbeing.

Running hasn't cured my ADHD, and I'm not pretending I've suddenly got everything figured out. But it has given me a positive outlet, achievable goals and something constructive to channel my energy into.

It's also shown me that the same determination that can sometimes feel overwhelming can be put to good use when I find the right direction.

Why I'm raising money for ADHD UK

I want to help raise awareness of ADHD in adults, particularly men who reach middle age without ever understanding why they've struggled.

Too many people spend years blaming themselves for difficulties they cannot explain. Some develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. Others experience problems with relationships, work, confidence or mental health before they ever consider that ADHD might be part of the picture.

I also believe we need more open conversations about the possibility of missed ADHD and autism diagnoses, and how recognising neurodivergence can help people better understand themselves.

Alongside fundraising for ADHD UK, I want to help spread the message of Andy's Man Club: men need spaces where they can speak openly about their struggles without shame or judgement.

My hope is that someone reading my story might recognise a part of their own experience, feel less alone and take the first step towards seeking support.

The challenge

Throughout the coming running season, I'll be raising money for ADHD UK through my running events, culminating in the Grasmere Trail Half Marathon in March 2027.

Every donation will help support ADHD UK's work, while every share helps get the conversation in front of another person.

Last year, we raised over £1,000 for The Christie. This year, I'm taking on a new challenge for a cause that has changed the way I understand my own life.

I'm not running because I've got everything right. I'm running because I've learned that change is possible, that healthier coping mechanisms can be built, and that understanding yourself can make a real difference.

If you're able to donate, thank you. If you share this page or simply start a conversation about ADHD, that matters too.

Let's help more people get the understanding and support they deserve.

💜 Same runs. A bigger purpose.