Firstly, thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. People say I can go on at times and chat for days but this time it's for a good cause.

2020 was a turbulent year for us all due to COVID but 2019 was a year of personal disbelief and transformation for myself.

Running, which once felt like my fitness nemesis became a dark place of escape for me as pressures mounted in life which I struggled to deal with. I found myself unknowingly descending into a mental health struggle often referred to as 'The Black Dog.' It didn't matter how much weight I could lift or how far I could run, my mind was not at ease.

As a serving soldier within the British Army, my years of military experience have shaped me into many things profoundly and I've strived to reclaim my physical and mental well-being sooo for some sanity:

● March 2021 - I completed the 4x4x48 Challenge - ran 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours with the only rest being on the 4 hours off.

● June 2023 - Applied to compete in the D-Day Challenge Marathon running across the beaches of Normandy however, work commitments prevented me from participating.

● June 6th, 2024 - OPERATION SWIM - swam 500m/5km - OMAHA BEACH non-stop in a 20m pool (250 lengths) in memory of the fallen service personnel of the D-Day landings for Help For Heroes. #BlackSwimmersMatter

● June 26th 2024 - OPERATION SWIM - swam 11,500m/11.5km - SWORD BEACH non-stop in a 20m pool (575 lengths) in memory of the fallen service personnel of the D-Day landings for Help For Heroes. #BlackSwimmersMatter

☆☆☆ Sunday 22nd March 2026 ☆☆☆

I will take part and run in Run Rome The Marathon (26.2miles) — a personal milestone as it will be my first official marathon. This journey began with an impulsive application after a gathering with friends involving alcohol however it has transformed into something much more meaningful and has my full commitment.

I am reaching out for your support, any donations—no matter how big or small—will make a significant impact as they go directly to Mid and North East Essex Mind. £750 could fund training for 16 people through our giving practical skills to recognise early signs of stress and support mental wellbeing. While gaining the tools to build resilience, manage stress, and prevent anxiety, depression, or burnout.

This charity has been there for me during dark times when others struggled to understand but I would also like to thank the ones who personally supported me throughout my dark times, it will never be forgotten. Your support and encouragement meant the world to me.

For the ones of now your support via any donation will be exactly the same will mean the world to me an be the catalyst to keep on going through training and the big one in March 2026.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast, and secure. Your details are safe with them—they'll never sell your information or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, your contribution goes directly to the charity—making it the most efficient way to support this important cause.

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this (if you made it this far).

On The Way To Rome (OTWTR) will be the build up with a change closer to the time.

Ashley 'Malteser Head' Jones