Hello again!

This year I will be running not just one but TWO marathons.First up, Manchester for a little warm up and then, the big one LONDON, the following week! 🥇

So yes, I’m once again pleading for some of your pennies for a great cause 🙏

I’m sure most people know my story by now but for those who are new, here goes.

Mental health has been prevalent in my family. I was about 8 or 9 when I remember my sister calling us in a panic because she thought someone was trying to hurt her and that she was taking my niece and leaving Weston because it was no longer safe for her here. She was later, over the years and after trialling different medications diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar and manic depression amongst other things. Episodes like this one where she would be so scared for her or the people she loved safety continued to happen throughout our lives and had a huge huge impact on all of us around her, not to mention the constant fear she lived with herself everyday. Unfortunately my sister lost her battle with mental health and took her own life 15 years ago this year, when I was 19.

After this I crashed right out and was set to follow in her footsteps, between that and other things that had happened in my life I was a sad, lost little boy in a man’s body and I didn’t want to be alive but I couldn’t commit suicide like my sister had so I used drink and drugs to inadvertently try and kill myself and numb any feelings that might ever pop up. With my reckless behaviour I continued to put my family and friends through the same torment and worry that my sister had until I was lucky enough have what can only be described as a spiritual awakening, I woke up one day and I knew something had to change, I couldn’t keep living like that and I couldn’t keep putting the people I cared about through this.

Something had to change, I had to change.

I looked inside myself with the help of others and I started to try and work on little baby David inside, who he was, what he needed, and the things that would help him. Turns out, the things that help him, help me. It’s a work in progress but everyday we get a little better and closer to the life I want to be living.

I never used to think id make it past 30, I never really wanted to and now every day I can think of at least 10 things im grateful for, no matter how small. I’m glad to be here.

I was LUCKY, a lot of people aren’t.

When I was struggling, support and guidance weren’t available to me. Other than being given tablets, there wasn’t much else. That’s why Mind is such an important charity. They raise awareness about mental health, help end the stigma that still surrounds it, and offer safe spaces and clear guidance on where to get the help you need

My sister was a great woman with a great heart and if anything, her problem was that she loved too fiercely sometimes, I was just a lost little boy with no direction who was lucky enough to have good friends and family.

So here’s to Emma, to Baby David, and to every single person silently fighting a daily battle inside their own head. You are not alone.

It does get better, it can get better and if all just help each other out a bit and try to be nice who knows what kind of difference we could make to the work 🌍

Anyway, enough of that 🎻

I’ll also be throwing some events and doing some other bits and bobs to raise money from now until then but if you do have a spare pound or two, EVERY donation is greatly appreciated and I will think of every single one of you during the race

Thankyou, peace out ✌️

DGM 💙