Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

Anyone who knows me is aware, perhaps, that I am not the most outgoing of individuals. I am anxious half the time, and fearful the rest. That being said, after many years struggling with mental health, I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been. And it certainly makes you think about what could have been.

In 2017, I finished my BA - handing in my dissertation and was waiting on final grades (it was looking positive but I was convinced I had failed). I had applied to start an MA after the summer but after three years of studying and learning, to suddenly be adrift was a shock to the system. My GP put me on fluoxetine and to say I spiraled is perhaps an understatement.

I spent some time recovering in the hospital, and throughout this time I had an ongoing email chain with Samaritans. Having someone to reach out to when I couldn't leave, while too scared to open up to doctors and my family, was a massive support for me.

And here we are 7 years later, I am married, completing my PhD (I did not fail my BA) and the sun is shining (metaphorically speaking, it is actually tipping it down as I type this).

But knowing that Samaritans will be there if it gets overcast again is so comforting to me. And to give a little something back for the support I received during such a challenging time, I am fundraising by wombling through the Tough Mudder in Birmingham.

Is it insanity? Perhaps. But with my sisters and best friend by my side in the mud, I am beyond excited to try something so far out my comfort zone.

Thank you to my husband, Euan (who used to volunteer with Samaritans Northampton coincidentally) and who responded with "why not?" when I was wondering whether I should attempt this.

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