I'll be honest with you — I'm not a natural runner. So when I decided to sign up for the London Marathon, I knew I was setting myself one of the biggest personal challenges of my life.

Well, my second biggest. Twenty-one years ago, I ran my first London Marathon. Back then, I swore I'd never do it again. And yet, here I am.

I have the memories to prove how that first one went. At mile 22 — with four miles still to go and my legs screaming — I was overtaken by someone in a full Stegosaurus costume. Not jogging. Overtaking. I'd like to say I found it motivating. I did not. The memory lives on!

But some causes are worth lacing up your trainers for — no matter how long it's been, and no matter how many prehistoric creatures beat you to the finish line — and Anna Freud is one of them.

Anna Freud is a leading mental health charity dedicated to children, young people, and their families. They provide vital support, training, and research to ensure that no young person has to face mental health struggles alone or without access to the right help. In a world where youth mental health has never been more important, their work genuinely changes lives.

26.2 miles. Months of running in the great British weather, aching legs, and wondering what on earth I've gotten myself into — again. But every step I take is for the children and young people who need better mental health support, and that keeps me going. And this time, I'm keeping an eye out for dinosaurs.

If you can spare anything at all, please donate. Every pound goes directly towards helping young people get the support they deserve.

Thank you so much — your generosity truly means the world to me, and to them.

Helen

More on Anna Freud:

Anna Freud is a pioneering mental health charity and we’re transforming care for children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation. We focus on discovery, delivering compassionate support, and sharing our knowledge widely.

Through our research, we shed light on why mental health problems develop and we design new approaches to prevention and intervention in partnership with children, young people, families and communities. We share our expertise by training clinicians, teachers and social care professionals, and by helping services and policymakers use evidence to improve the systems that shape young lives.

In a rapidly changing world, we champion fresh, practical approaches that foster trusted relationships to give every child the opportunity to thrive.

We’ve led the way in reimagining mental health care for more than 70 years. Join us today to help us build a future where every young person receives the right support at the right time.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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