In 2016 a few days after my daughter Erin was born, I became seriously ill with postpartum psychosis - a severe, but treatable, form of mental illness. Around 1 in 500 mothers experience PP each year. Fortunately, I got a place at Winchester Mother & Baby Unit, where Erin and I could be together whilst I recovered.

Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) is a UK charity supporting mums, parents and families and raising awareness about postpartum psychosis. APP offer information and peer support, facilitate ground breaking research, raise awareness and campaign for improved services.

Accessing APP’s peer support was a critical step in my recovery and I now volunteer to support other mums. Walking was also fundamental to my recovery - being out in nature, covering ground and moving through landscapes helped me heal and return to myself.

On 4-5th July, I will be walking 36 miles along the South Downs Way, from Chichester to Winchester as part of APP’s Miles for Mum’s & Babies Challenge. Please donate whatever you feel able and find out more about APP and their great work at: www.app-network.org