Everton in the Community does so much to support the city I call home and the wider Liverpool City Region, delivering more than 60 projects designed to tackle a range of prevalent social issues such as inequalities, health disparities, educational attainment, poverty, mental health and unemployment.

I have always been an advocate for tackling the so-called postcode lottery of deprivation and Everton in the Community is genuinely making a difference in some of Liverpool's most-deprived areas, including L4.

I have also had my own personal struggles with mental health and have seen first-hand just how important fast and easily accessible mental health support is - I know full well I wouldn't be here today without the exceptional NHS support I received for the best part of a decade.

Sadly, not everyone is so lucky and it is becoming increasingly difficult to access NHS support without facing long waiting lists or feeling like you need to be 'unwell enough' to qualify.

Everton in the Community is tackling this by offering free, accessible mental health support within the community through The People Place - its purpose-built mental health and wellbeing hub in the heart of L4.

Despite long being a hater of exercise, I have found running to be really positive for my mental health and overall confidence and I am proud to be running on behalf of a charity that supports people of all backgrounds and club colours.