In 2026, I’m fundraising for Place2Be - a children’s mental health charity that supports young people when they need it most.

When I was 10 years old, my dad died at a young age. Navigating that loss without the right support had a lasting impact on me. Had I known about, and had access to, a charity like Place2Be at the time, I truly believe things could have been very different.

This year, I’m running the Berlin Marathon on my 33rd birthday - the same age my dad was when he died - which makes this challenge especially meaningful. Through this run and a series of other events, I hope to raise vital funds to help children get mental health support at the point it can make the biggest difference.

As the UK’s leading school-based mental health charity, Place2Be provides vital support to children, families, and school staff. With 1 in 5 children and young people now experiencing a probable mental health problem, it’s more important than ever to ensure every child has access to mental health support whenever they need it.

Here’s what’s planned so far in 2026:

FEBRUARY:

10k a day in February - anybody welcome to join me for as many runs as you'd like as I attempt to run 280km total in February

MARCH:

TBC

APRIL:

Manchester Marathon with Barbi - 19 April 2026 (Barbi's first ever marathon!)

MAY:

Macc to Oldham - On 2nd May I will run from my home in Macclesfield to Boundary Park in Oldham to watch the Latics final game of the season vs Accrington Stanley (distance around 24 miles!)

JUNE:

Windermere Marathon with my mum, Marie - 14 June 2026 (also her first marathon ever - and what a choice, taking on the mountains around the Lakes)

JULY:

Potential half indoor Iron Man triathlon location TBC

AUGUST:

Something crazy over the summer - Backyard Ultra, or a gruelling number of track laps (date TBC)

SEPTEMBER:

Berlin Marathon with Kyle - 27 September 2026 (my 33rd birthday)

This list isn’t exhaustive - I want to raise as much money as possible and will add additional fundraising events throughout 2026 as and when ideas spring to mind.

I’m incredibly grateful for your support. Every donation helps ensure children don’t have to face mental health challenges alone.

Please consider donating today and join me in supporting children’s mental health by sponsoring my Berlin Marathon 2026 run with #TeamPlace2Be.