On the 18th April 2027, I will be running the Adidas Manchester Marathon for Mind, in memory of my dad, who ended his own life.

Trying to put into words how losing my dad has affected me, my mum, my family and everyone who loved him is almost impossible. Losing someone in this way leaves behind a kind of pain that is difficult to explain. The heartbreak, the shock, the questions that will never have answers, and the moments where you wish more than anything that things could have been different.

Suicide doesn’t just take away one person. It affects families, friends, and everyone left behind. It leaves people trying to make sense of something that doesn’t always make sense, and it shows just how important it is that people struggling with their mental health get the support they need.

Everyone who knew my dad says the same thing… He was the loudest and happiest person in the room. He brought so much laughter and energy to those around him, which makes it even harder to understand the pain he must have been carrying. I hope sharing his story reminds people that even the happiest people can be struggling silently.

I am raising money for Mind because I want to help make sure more people have somewhere to turn when they are struggling. If this fundraiser can help even one person feel less alone, or help another family avoid experiencing the pain we have felt, then it will be worth every step.

Running this marathon will be one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I will be carrying my dad with me every mile of the way. This is for him, for my mum, for our family, and for everyone who has been affected by suicide.

Any donation, no matter how small, would mean more than I can explain. Even sharing this page helps more than you know.

Thank you for helping me honour my dad’s memory and support such an important cause 💓💞💗🩷💕