Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

After the birth of my third son, I unexpectedly, suffered enormously with perinatal OCD as a result of birth trauma. OCD for me, was a very disabling condition which not only impacted my life but also the lives of those around me. People often think of OCD as an obsession around germs and symmetry (which of course it can be) but during the perinatal period, the responsibility for life and well being of a helpless infant can cause chronic stress which in turn exacerbates OCD, and in my case filled my brain with - horrible and nasty thoughts, urges, visions and doubts.

During my recovery path, I was pointed to a website and charity called ‘Maternal OCD’ and I’ll never be more grateful for the work that Maria and Diana (co-founders) have done to support women and men by raising awareness to professionals, national decision makes and providing information and support to those perinatal OCD sufferers like me. OCD is a significant but treatable problem, however a lack of knowledge amongst the professionals that are there to help us, actually caused my illness to spiral and become a huge barrier to accessing treatment. Finding Maternal OCD really did make me realise I wasn’t alone and this horrible monster actually had a name!

I am so incredibly lucky to be doing this challenge with my machine of a cousin Lindsey, and one of very very close friends Jen, who are helping me raise as much money as I possibly can for those mums that need the right care and support. THANK YOU girls, for supporting me in this, and also getting me around the course!!

So I’d be ever so grateful if you could help me in helping Maternal OCD continue this amazing work - showing others that life can be better and there IS light and happiness at the end of that dark OCD tunnel.