Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

What am I doing? - In December 2025 it will be 35 years since I first started working for Northumbria Police. To mark this milestone I am embarking on my Challenge 35 in aid of the charity Mind. Over the next 12 months in the run up to this anniversary I plan to take part in 35 different parkruns - this includes the 21 currently held weekly in the Northumbria Police area, plus 14 in 14 different force areas across the UK and maybe beyond.

I started the challenge on Saturday 7th December 2024 at Jesmond Dene parkrun, and aim to finish it at Silksworth parkrun on Saturday 29th November 2025.

Why am I doing it? - over the years since I joined in 1990 both work and life away from the job have thrown up many challenges for me, some expected and many that I could not have imagined. The last few years have been particularly challenging for my family and me, none more so than losing our lovely daughter Emz in 2024, so I am completing this challenge in her memory.

Well-being was not a term heard of in police circles during my early career, but one of the main ways I've used to successfully navigate my way through these challenges over the years is to have an active outdoor lifestyle away from work. In the main that has been in the form of walking our dogs, keeping our garden, Alpine ski trips and even a few challenge cycles such as the C2C in my 40's.

Over the last 5 years I've also increasingly got hooked on parkruns - ironic given I'm not a born runner! Parkruns are organised 5k events in 100's of locations in the UK and beyond each Saturday morning. They are not races and provide a supportive atmosphere to everyone who takes part, whether running, walking or volunteering. This and the chance to run in varied and beautiful locations have turned them into a must for my Saturday mornings. I've now completed 126 of them (and counting) and I just love the feel good feeling they give me by 10am each Saturday I complete one.

Why did I choose Mind? - Mind provide vital advice and support to people experiencing mental health problems. In addition they tirelessly campaign to improve services, raise awareness and improve understanding of mental health. Over the years countless members of the public I have come into contact with, as well as many colleagues, family including Emz and friends have experienced varying levels of mental health problems and so I know the work of Mind has never been more important.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my challenge and thank you for any donation you make - it's very appreciated.

David

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