This year I am running Hackney Half marathon in the name of Mums Aid , a charity that supports mums throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

So many charities out there do incredible and much needed work for babies and children. Throughout my own journey with motherhood I've personally felt increasing focus on the baby, through the stories I would tell, questions I would answer and pictures I would take. I've also felt an increasing isolation from my former self, the crushing weight of responsibility and, with that, a crumbling sense of "having it together".

Throughout my maternity leave I had darker moments alongside, of course, profoundly beautiful moments. Maternity is not a straight forward journey and not one that has an easy recipe to follow. During this past year I've been struck with how mums are unsupported, rendered socially invisible, while all of us with prams don't really have anywhere specific to go.

For some mums this leads to unthinkably difficult circumstances, especially if babies have complex needs, partners are abusive or simply unsupportive, income not there. Witnessing women go through these over the last year has left a mark on me that I can't shake.

There isn't a healthy child without a healthy mum. So this run is for all the mums out there doing their best every single day. Please help me support MumsAid and the incredible work they are doing for them ❤️