**Moved to Richmond Park Half Marathon on 2nd June 2024

As mental health is a concept close to my heart and many of those around me, I’m raising money for Ellie’s Angels. The most heart-warming, local charity, organised by some amazing people. Please read their story below:

Ellie’s Angels formed as a charity in memory of Ellie. A teenager who struggled with anxiety and due to significant waiting times to access mental health services took steps to improve her own health and wellbeing. Ellie is our inspiration. Our project focusses on Ellie's own successful approach and supports young people, giving them the opportunity to take control of their own mental health and wellbeing, in ways that work for them. Our work introduces mental health awareness and support into day-to-day life, removes the stigma surrounding the subject and makes mental health a 'normal' topic for young people to engage and discuss. Our organisation has a team of 14 young people. Our Youth Mental Health Ambassadors. We ensure the work we do is lead by their views and will best support their generation. Together with our Youth Mental Health Ambassadors and Medical Consultant Trustees, we developed an app, better u. It's a free support tool that offers a digital journal, mediation, breathing exercises and self-help tools. Most importantly, it provides young people, educational professionals and parents with access to a variety of diverse organisations that support at the click of a button. Launched in April 2022, better u is now being used as a support tool across NHS services and schools. We tell Ellie's story so that it may give young people hope, resilience and show them that there is always a choice. We hope that Ellie's story and her legacy may even save some lives.