In July 2023 my Dad, Jim, tragically took his own life, having suffered privately with depression.

Dad was a real character: kind, funny and endlessly supportive. He was always on hand to offer words of advice, or one of his much loved pep talks. Spending time with Dad was a joy, and belly laughs were always guaranteed with him. He was a wonderful Dad, Grandad, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and friend; we all desperately miss him.

In April 2024, I will be running the Manchester marathon with my husband, Jack, and cousin, Luke. We have chosen Stockport MIND as the charity we would like to support. It is a charity that is very close to our family's heart, as Dad had previously fundrised for MIND in 2011, when he completed the Cape Town to Australia leg of the Clipper Yacht Race, a gruelling three week stretch across the Southern Atlantic Ocean, tackling some of the most extreme sailing conditions in the world. (watch the documentary here). He did this in memory of his brother, Paul, who also tragically died by suicide, aged 30 in 1998.

Our goal is to raise as much as possible for Stockport MIND, in oder to provide much needed support to those struggling with their mental health.

This is the first marathon we have ever completed. Needless to say we have been putting in the hours over the last six months. Running as a group, we aim to complete the course in under four hours - always with Dad's mantra in our minds:

"Get out there, get stuck in, and do your best".

For you, Dad. Love you.