Hey everyone! I will be running my first ever half marathon to raise money for Pennine Care Rehabilitation and High Support Services. I am incredibly proud to be part of this team, where I've witnessed the dedication and compassion that our staff show every day in helping individuals experiencing mental health difficulties on their journey to recovery. The work we do is vital, not only in providing a safe and supportive environment, but also in empowering individuals to regain their independence and improve their mental health and well-being.

The commitment and care we provide to service users makes such a positive difference, but there are always more ways we can enhance the support that we offer. I will be raising money to give back and ensure we can continue providing the best possible care to service users, offering new opportunities and investing in resources that directly impact their lives. Pennine Care Charity is the charity partner of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. We raise funds for additional work and services not covered by the NHS core offer. Our vision is to create a happier and more hopeful life for people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and autism.

People who know me will know that running has never been a strength of mine. For somebody who has never ran more than 5K (during the pandemic when everyone got roped into this challenge!), running 21K is going to be one of my biggest challenges yet. I am determined to push myself for such an important cause - as somebody who has experienced difficulties with my mental health, and witnessed the impacts mental health has had on others around me, every step I take will demonstrate that every challenge can be overcome, one step at a time.

Thank you for considering such an important and well-worthy cause.

Harriet x