This April I’m running the London Marathon, raising money and awareness for Mind.

Mental health is deeply personal to me. I’ve lived through my own challenges which I’ve expanded a little on in a blog post you can read here. Despite having a loving family and friends, I didn’t know how to ask for help. Only recently, through counselling with West Kent Mind, have I begun to understand how much I’ve been carrying.

Now, as a mum of two young children, I’m determined to be part of the change. I want my children to grow up talking about mental health as openly as we talk about physical health. I want them to know that asking for help is a strength, and that no one should ever feel they have to struggle alone.

Drawing and painting have been my safe space. As an illustrator, painting calms my busy brain and helps me process life. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been running watercolour workshops with West Kent Mind. I’ve seen firsthand the power of creativity and need for these safe spaces. How creativity can unlock emotions, build confidence, and create space for connection.

Running the marathon feels kind of symbolic, a physical and mental journey that mirrors so much of what people with mental health challenges go through. To make it even more meaningful, after the event I’ll be creating a series of 26 illustrations for 26 miles, capturing the experience and sharing it with my supporters.

I will also be sharing my illustrated training diaries along the way, in a bid to start conversations about mental health and show how creativity (and running!) can be a tool for wellbeing.

Please support me if you can, with a donation, by sharing this page, or by following along as I share my journey in the lead-up to the marathon.

If you'd like to keep up to date with my training and journey, you can follow me on instagram here and join my email list here where I'll be sharing updates and illustrations along the way!

THANK YOU!