Hello, my name is Niamh Cawthorne, and I am 14 years old. Like I’m sure many of you are, I am very passionate about mental health and believe that we should know what it is and should ensure we are looking after it. In 2007 my Dad ran the London marathon raising money for Mind the mental health charity. After working in a gym for 15 years supporting many hundreds of people, he came to realise how many of them struggle with mental health problems.

I have always enjoyed cycling, but over the past year and half I have found a true love for it, especially after a long day, going out on my bike with my Brother or Dad and having a chat always cheers me up.

Did you know, every year 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem. Far too many wait months to get support, including for the most serious mental illness and get more unwell as they wait. At the same time, the number of children and young people struggling is soaring. In 2023 the Mind helpline was accessed by 122,000 people and has had a very positive impact on so many.

Just like my Dad, I would like to raise money for Mind, the mental health charity. By fundraising for Mind, we are helping them give people with mental health problems the respect and support they deserve.

In 2021 my Brother Alister, completed the LEJOG challenge, cycling from the South coast to the North coast of the UK. My goal is to raise 487 pounds, as over 4 weeks this summer, I will be cycling 487 kilometres - the equivalent distance from Aberystwyth on the West coast to Lowestoft on the East coast of the UK – completing the compass points as a family.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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