Hello!!

I’m Alyssia, more well known as Lyss and I am running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Mind – and this means everything to me.

Why?…

Mental health isn’t just a cause I support — it’s something I’ve lived through, struggled with, and continue to navigate every single day. Whilst I may seem like a bubbly outgoing and spontaneous girl, I’ve been in some incredibly dark places. There was a time when I couldn’t see a way forward. I ended up in an inpatient mental health ward a couple years back. At my lowest I was isolated from friends, family, the outdoors and I simply couldn’t see a way forward. I was fortunate to receive amazing help and meet some incredibly resilient people going through similar battles I was at the time.

Back then, I truly didn’t believe I’d ever get out of that place — let alone run a half marathon. I felt like I had no future. Some days I still do feel like that. But slowly, painfully, things began to change. Recovery hasn’t been easy. There have been ups, downs, relapses, and moments where I wanted to give up. But I kept going — and that alone is something I’m proud of.

Running this race isn’t just about fitness or ticking off a goal — it’s about proving to myself how far I’ve come. And more importantly, it’s about helping others who are still in that place I once was.

Mental health is a serious issue — now more than ever. So many people are struggling, and too often they’re doing it in silence. That’s why I’m raising money for Mind — to support their life-changing work and to make sure no one has to go through it alone.

This cause is personal. It’s painful. But it’s also powerful. If you’re able to donate, no matter how small, you’re helping to change lives — including mine.

I’ve learnt that life really is worth living and I am forever grateful that I am continued to be surrounded by the most amazing support system and have access to amazing resources to help.

This run isn’t just for me, it’s for you. Everyone deals with something and no matter how small you think it is, your life is always worth living. You are loved and you are important. Never forget that.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 💙