Hi everyone, I am so unbelievably excited to be running London Marathon 2026 for West Central London Mind.

In March 2024, my younger brother, Joe, died by suicide. He was 19. Joe was inherently funny, with a unique comedic flair and and heart of pure gold. Whilst he was five years younger than me, we were very alike in character, and as a result, had an emotional understanding. He always knew when I needed a hug, or to be told I was loved. He was empathetic and intrinsically kind, a true fighter for the underdog and a friend to anyone who needed one. He was a light in the dark, but unfortunately, he acted one night on impulse and is no longer here.

Nothing could ever prepare you for losing someone to suicide. Grief, universally, is complex. Grieving a loved one who has taken their own life is in a world of its own. It is layered with unique and deeply complex feelings, and for me, I felt completely alone. I was angry, confused and couldn't see how I could ever live a happy and fulfilled life now Joe was no longer alive.

On the journey back to London to pack some clothes before going back to Bath to be with my family, the day after Joe died, I was researching any support services that might help me make sense of what had just happened. West Central London Mind came up, with a form I could fill in to explain what happened. The next day, a very nice lady called me, and explained she would be available to talk for as long as I needed her, and told me about the peer support group that WCL Mind runs. She told me there would be others who had lost their loved ones to suicide, and so I went along.

Perhaps it sounds dramatic, but this peer support group has been my lifeline. In the first meeting, I met people who were farther along in their grief journey than me, and for the first time in weeks, I felt hope.

Fast forward 15 months, I have attended as many groups as my diary allows, both online and in person. I have made friends, shared resources, cried, hugged and eaten biscuits very kindly provided by WCL Mind. Most importantly, I have shared the innermost thoughts and feelings about losing Joe to suicide, and I have been understood, supported and empathised with. Creating space has become a term within popular culture, but this group defines the meaning of creating space, and for that I am truly grateful.

So that leads me into the fortunate position of the opportunity to give back to WCL Mind after they have given myself, and others, so much. WCL Mind is an independent charity, separate from the National Mind charity, which means every penny I raise goes directly to life-changing local services.

In a time when mental health is the UK's top health concern, WCL Mind is there to offer frontline services including talking therapies, suicide prevention and bereavement support and specialised children and young people support. These services help people recover, manage symptoms and feel less alone.

Your donation will help someone in our community access the support they need – whether it’s a young person struggling with anxiety, or someone finding their way back from crisis, or someone like me, who has just had their world obliterated, and needs help piecing it back together.

Please donate if you can - no matter how little. Anything is appreciated. Thank you 💙