In August 2026, I’ll be taking on the North Downs 50 km Ultra Challenge – a 50 km trail event in the Surrey Hills starting and finishing near Guildford – to raise money for Mind, the mental health charity.

I’m a 24‑year‑old British Sikh student in my first year of BSc Nutrition at the University of Surrey. I live with anxiety, depression and an eating disorder, and I know from experience how hard it can be to ask for help, to keep going with your studies, and to believe that things can get better. Mind provides vital support, information and advocacy for people facing mental health difficulties, and I want to give something back to a charity whose work matters deeply to me and so many others.

It will be my first-ever ultra‑distance event, and I’m not a professional athlete. I’ll be building up my training step by step alongside my degree, focusing on safe progress, balance and recovery. For me, this challenge is about:

• Raising awareness and funds for Mind.

• Showing that movement and big goals can be approached in a kind, structured way, not as punishment.

• Proving to myself that even with mental health struggles, I can still move forward – one step at a time.

Any donation, however small, will help Mind continue its work supporting people like me who live with mental health difficulties. If you can’t donate, simply sharing this page or sending a message of support would mean a lot.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for supporting Mind.

H A R P R E E T 🤍


@preetpeaks