This May, I’ll be running the Hackney Half Marathon alongside Charlie, John, and Harry in support of Mind in the City.

As someone who hasn’t run in years, this will be a huge challenge, in fact i’m pretty terrified—but my reason for taking it on goes far beyond the physical training.

The past three years have been incredibly tough. Almost back-to-back, both my husband and my dad were involved in life-changing accidents.

In April 2024, while on holiday, my dad was attacked by a shark—something you’d only expect to see in films or on the news. Just 18 months prior to that, my husband was randomly attacked while traveling.

Although these incidents were very different, their recoveries shared many of the same scary realities. Both faced the high possibility of a leg amputation and were told they might never walk again—something so many of us take for granted. My husband was unable to walk for a further 12 months and my dad had to endure many many surgeries before learning to walk again.

It’s thanks to the incredible medical professionals around the world that both of them were given the chance to recover. In my dad’s case, they saved his life, and I will be forever grateful for that.

The strength, resilience, and determination they have shown throughout their recoveries has been nothing short of inspiring. So much so that they’ve motivated me to take on this challenge—to raise money in support of those fighting their own battles right now.

While I wasn’t physically injured in these incidents, the mental toll was enormous. Dealing with such traumatic events in close succession quickly caught up with me. However, I was fortunate enough to have access to amazing mental health support, which has been crucial in helping me navigate the past few years.

Unfortunately, not everyone has that same support system.

That’s why I’m running for Mind in the City.

Every year, 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem, and this number is only rising. By donating, you’re not just holding me accountable for this challenge—you’re directly supporting someone in need right now.

Thank you for any support you can give! 💙🏃‍♀️