At the end of July 2021 we lost my younger brother Chris, age 43.

Chris died of a heart attack, but in the years running up to his death he had suffered with his mental health and I will forever feel that had this not been the case his death may have been avoided.

As is common, particularly for males, it took Chris a while before eventually accepting that he couldn’t ‘deal’ with things alone and needed help. Medication was prescribed and taken but as many who have suffered will know, this is very often only part of the treatment required for someone to be able to recover and thrive again.

Access to effective counselling therapies, delivered in a productive and worthwhile manner alongside personable, professional support is invaluable. Sadly this was what was lacking for Chris.

In a world where resources are stretched to breaking point and video/telephone sessions override face to face appointments, the right support seemed to evade him and indeed us as a family who so desperately wanted to make him better but simply weren’t equipped to do so.

Alcohol became a crutch for Chris, again not uncommon. It provided an escape but one that only compounded his deteriorating mental health and drove him to isolate himself further from the outside world and the people who cared about him.

And thus the vicious cycle begins, gradually gaining momentum without the appropriate help and support.

Chris’ story is not unique and that in itself is a desperately sad statement.

With mental health services through the NHS system woefully over stretched and under supported, charities such as Mind do a wonderful and indispensable job of helping to plug the gap, or should I say gaping chasm. But they need financial support and public awareness to provide a service that can quite literally be a lifeline for someone.

The loss of Chris was tragic and untimely. I can’t alter it and I may well forever carry the feelings of guilt and impotency for not having been able to help him more. But I have for a while had in mind (pun intended) that I could create something good out of such a dreadful circumstance. I could do something that may help others. And I could do it in his name.

Which is why when I realised that the 2026 London Marathon falls on what would have been Chris’ 48th birthday, I knew this was something I had to do, there was something serendipitous about it.

I took up running seriously a couple of years ago for many reasons but my own mental health was a key factor. It’s undoubtedly helped me process and manage my mixed emotions about Chris’ death but also the grief surrounding the death of my Dad which happened just 13 days later.

So applying to Mind was not only apposite for Chris’ situation but also for my own and I feel beyond privileged to have been accepted on to their team.

Whilst it will never remove the sadness, the regret or the grief, there is therapy in being able to create a positive outcome from tragedy. I am doing this for Chris, for myself and also, importantly for my incredible, stoic Mum who has survived her husband and her son and still gets up every day and embraces life. It is from her that I get the force I need to be able to do this sort of thing in the first place.

But I can’t do it alone. I need your help. I have a fundraising goal of £2500 and I will be forever in your debt if you can spare any amount of money towards this cause. In a time when everyone’s finances are being squeezed, this is a big ask I know. But whatever the amount of your donation it will be my driver, it will make me accountable and it is not an overstatement to say it will help save lives.

Thank you for reading.