This April, I’m running the London Marathon for Gambling with Lives — a charity that supports families bereaved by gambling suicide and works to prevent gambling harm.

I’m in recovery after more than 15 years affected by gambling addiction. During that time, I experienced first-hand how destructive gambling harm can be — not only for the person struggling, but for the families, friends, and loved ones caught in its wake.

Gambling addiction isn’t just about money. It’s linked to severe mental health struggles, and research shows that problem gambling is strongly associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Studies estimate that gambling is a factor in between 250 and 650 suicides each year in the UK, which may represent 4–11% of all suicides, and in England alone there may be up to 496 gambling-related suicides annually.

For many, the despair caused by the addiction — the loss, the shame, the isolation — can feel unbearable. That’s why awareness and support are so desperately needed.

Gambling with Lives works to change how gambling harm is understood and to provide support for families affected by these tragedies. Every mile I run is for those still struggling, for the families trying to cope, and for those we’ve lost along the way.

If you’re able to donate, no matter the amount, you’ll be helping to raise awareness and support life-saving work. Even sharing this page helps more than you might realise.

Thank you so much for your support.