I’m incredibly proud (and slightly daunted!) to be running the London Marathon in support of Oakleaf Enterprise, a local charity that does life‑changing work for people experiencing mental ill health. Oakleaf provides support, community, and hope to those who need it most, helping people rebuild confidence, skills, and purpose at some of the toughest points in their lives.

By taking on these 26.2 miles, I’m hoping to raise vital funds that will allow Oakleaf to continue their work across our community. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a genuine difference — and will carry me one step closer to the finish line.

Thank you so much for your support, encouragement, and generosity. It truly means the world to me and to the people Oakleaf helps every day.

David

Oakleaf Enterprise is a mental health charity providing wellbeing activities, work-related training, employment guidance and counselling services to adults in Surrey. Based in Guildford for over 26 years, the charity aims to transform lives and build new futures with adults managing their mental health. This aim provides structure for helping clients overcome huge barriers, addressing multiple problems of social isolation, unemployment, poverty, discrimination and of course illness. The charity also hosts the Guildford Safe Haven, providing free drop-in support from 6-11pm to local people in mental health crisis, 365 days a year.

“Oakleaf has saved my life. Attending has helped me feel positive about actually having a future, and pulled me back from the edge many times.” – Oakleaf client

Your donation will make a real difference, for example:

£20 could fund two weeks of supplies for our art classes. The therapeutic benefits of art are extensive, and our art project has had a hugely positive impact over the past few years, helping clients to reduce their social isolation, increase confidence and boost positive mental health.

£50 could fund two weeks of fitness classes for Oakleaf clients, led weekly by an experienced, certified trainer. These fitness classes are part of our programme of helping clients to increase their confidence, make friends and ultimately rebuild their lives with a stronger sense of wellbeing.

£300 could fund a block of six counselling sessions with an experienced BACP-registered counsellor, available for Oakleaf clients facing particularly challenging or complex mental ill-health. Those counselling sessions could provide a real lifeline for someone who can’t afford or get counselling elsewhere.

£1,000 could fund six months of one of our Support Groups, such as our Stress & Anxiety group or Grief & Loss group. As one client said: “Oakleaf provides such a valuable lifeline to so many people and I feel very privileged to be able to attend the various activities on offer. The grief and loss group was so helpful and successful. Thank you for all you do.”

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.