Hello! Thank you for coming to my page and considering a donation towards myself and the boys running the adidas Manchester Marathon 2026!

You can find Tom & Henry's page linked to mine under the team! What a world of difference and a pleasure it is tackling training in these poor weather months with two of my best mates suffering along with me!

Never did I think I would attempt 26.2 miles, but Mind is a more than worthy cause to get me out the door, trainers laced and giving it my best.

I chose the Mind Charity because I've had my own secret battles with mental health across the past 18 months and I am not afraid to say prior to this I never took mental health seriously. I thought it was an easy excuse when things weren't quite going your way, well it turns out I was wrong and I am glad of it.

Admitting, experiencing and combatting my own mental health struggles with depression has changed me as a person for the better. It has given me the privilege to look across my life in a new perspective, along with giving me the drive to encourage others to speak out as there is no shame in it. It takes courage to talk and those around you will listen, it took me far too long to realise this.

I use to see talking about mental health in a 'taboo' manner, it should just be cracked on with pushing the weakness down. Well, now I've experienced the waves crashing over the top of me, not allowing me to surface I understand the immense pressure it can bring. I wouldn't wish it upon my loved ones, there is free help out there and supporting that is immensely important to me. There is no weakness, it takes strength of mind and character to talk and work through battles within yourself.

That is why I think the adidas Manchester Marathon is a fitting event and goal to pursue. 26.2 miles of grit, determination and the willingness to push forward to not give up.

I've heard experienced marathon runners say, training is the hard part the marathon is the victory lap...well so far I agree with the first part! Getting out the door in winter is hard, doing the runs is hard, I think its all hard! But if it was easy no one would want it! I'm thinking of this process through training and the race itself as not only physical training, but mental strength and resilience training to help me improve myself, to keep my head above the waves.

You can view my training from when I launched the JustGiving page at the bottom of my page under 'Updates'.

Anyway, I have blabbed on for long enough. Wish me luck and thank you!

A little about Mind;

Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. But hundreds of thousands of people are still struggling.

Mind believe no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. They'll listen, give you support and advice, and fight your corner.