This year, I am taking on the challenge of running 50km at the Portumna Forest Marathon on 6 June 2026. This journey is not about escape, but about choosing to stay: to remain present in my own body and mind. There was a time when movement was tied to control, numbers, and the belief that being smaller meant being safer. I have known that voice inside me, the one urging disappearance and silence.

But this run represents something profoundly different. It is a commitment to listen without obeying that inner critic, to move not as punishment but as a path back to self-acceptance and healing. Alongside this physical challenge, I am creating a short film titled "Choosing to Stay," which explores the powerful connection between movement, mental health, and the inner voice we all carry.

I am fundraising for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), an organization dedicated to supporting people through their darkest moments when staying feels hardest. Your support will help provide vital resources and hope for those struggling with mental health challenges.

If this story resonates with you, please consider contributing towards my target of £1,500. Every donation brings us closer to making a real difference in lives touched by despair. And if you cannot donate at this time, take this as a gentle reminder: choosing to stay is already enough.