*trigger warning: suicide & mental health*

I’m taking on the challenge of running 12 half marathons over 12 months (October 2024-October 2025) to raise money for Samaritans in memory of my Mum, Lucy.

In 2022, 5284 suicides were registered in England. That might not sound like a lot compared to other diseases that take lives, but in my opinion, they were 5284 preventable deaths if these people were given access to and knew about resources that could help save their life.

In May 2023, I ran my first ever half marathon alongside a colleague to raise money for our charity of the year at the time. It was the best shape I’d been in mentally and physically with the consistent running having a hugely positive affect on my wellbeing.

In June 2023, my life did a 360 when I received the news that my Mum had taken her own life.

Initially, there was a funeral to plan, her flat to clear out, admin to sort out and it kept me busy. But slowly and surely, her death took its toll on me until I was probably in the worst place I’d been physically and mentally.

At the end of 2023, and first half of 2024 I struggled with severe anxiety, panic attacks, low mood and just generally struggling to leave the house for anything other than dog walks or work. I was torn between thinking “life is short, I want to make the most of it” and making loads of plans, to “I can’t believe how long the rest of my life is going to be and I won’t have a Mum” and cancelling or bailing on all the plans I made.

Fortunately, I have been surrounded by an amazing support network as well as having access to private healthcare and a mountain of other resources meaning I always have somewhere or someone to turn to. In addition to this, I’ve got a Dad who can take the time to write me an exercise and nutrition plan to get me healthy enough to take on 12 half marathons.

But not everyone is fortunate enough to have that.

That’s where Samaritans come in.

I’ve never used Samaritans support services, but that doesn’t mean I won’t, it doesn’t mean someone I know won’t, it doesn’t mean you won’t.

Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help.

Just £5 can support Samaritans answer one life saving phone call.

Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide, and that’s why I’ve chosen to raise money and awareness of them. If my Mum had known more about them, accessed their resources when she was alive or reached out to them the night she took her own life, she might still be here today.

Help save someone else's Mum, Dad, daughter, son, brother, sister, niece, Grandad etc today 💗

Thanks for your support!

If you want to come and cheer me on, on the day (or maybe you want to run with me?!), so far I’m signed up for:

October 13 2024 - Oxford Half Marathon - DONE

November 9 2024 - Cardiff MoRun Half Marathon - DONE

January 26 2025 - Chepstow Racecourse Half Marathon - DONE

March 1 2025 - St David’s Day Half Marathon (also my Mum’s birthday!) - DONE

March 9 2025 - Paris Half Marathon - DONE

April 6 2025 - London Landmarks Half Marathon

May 11 2025 - Bristol Half Marathon

June 8 2025 - Swansea Half Marathon

August 17 2025 - Bath Two Tunnels Half Marathon

October 5 2025 - Cardiff Half Marathon

October 19 2025 - Weston-Super-Mare Half Marathon

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.