Milestone #4: Christmas Cracker 10km 14th December - fundraising goal £1250

Milestone #3: Weston-super-Half 19th October - new fundraising goal £750 ✅✅✅

Milestone #2: Weston-super-Half 19th October - new fundraising goal £500 ✅✅✅

Milestone #1: Weston-super-Half 19th October - fundraising goal £250 ✅✅✅

Training races:

* Weston-super-Half Half Marathon 19th October ✅ 1H 50M 20S 🎉

* Weston Athletic Club Christmas Cracker 10km 14th December

* Gloucester Half Marathon 22nd March

The Mission

On April 26th, 2026, I'll be running the iconic London Marathon to raise money for a cause that is personal to me: the Healthy Minds project at the University of Bristol.

The Healthy Minds project provides essential support, resources, and preventative education to students who are navigating the challenging transition to university life and the academic pressures that come with it. My fundraising goal is to help ensure that every Bristol student has access to the support I wish I’d had—and that no student has to face their struggles alone.

My Journey: From Struggle to Strength

My time as an undergraduate at the University of Bristol was not the 'plain sailing' experience I’d hoped for.

In my first year, I was unexpectedly hospitalised with a high fever. Then, in my second year, I hit a wall of overwhelming fatigue and lack of motivation. Investigations didn't reveal a physical cause, and with no obvious solution in sight, the decision was made to suspend my studies. I needed space to rest and recharge away from the academic pressure.

In hindsight, I'm sure this was a profound bout of depression. While the medication I was prescribed didn't seem to help, a surprising discovery did: exercise. I started swimming regularly, and over time, I began to recover. The fatigue lifted, the darkness receded, and I found my way back to health.

I was lucky. I found my own path out of the darkness. I successfully returned, graduated in 2010 with a 2:1, and even went on to complete my PGCE at the university. But I am intensely aware that others are not as fortunate as I was to find their own solution.

This is why I’m running: I want to ensure that current and future students at Bristol have a dedicated safety net like the Healthy Minds project to catch them before they need to take drastic action.

More Than Just a Run

As a teacher for the past 15 years, I see the pressure on young people every single day. I’m passionate about supporting them holistically, and I know that mental health and an active lifestyle are key components of success.

Now, it’s time to model that active, resilient lifestyle for my own children, Henry (7) and Eloise (3). I've run the Bristol 10km and three half marathons over the years, but the London Marathon is the ultimate goal—a massive, life-changing challenge.

I've already lost three stone through my training and am currently running three times a week, with the Weston-super-Mare Half Marathon this October as my next milestone. I'm determined to keep this training going and cross that finish line.

Help Me Change a Life

Your donation will go directly to the Healthy Minds project at the University of Bristol, providing vital services like:

Proactive Workshops and Events: Giving students the tools to manage stress and anxiety before it becomes overwhelming.

One-to-One Support: Ensuring students have access to timely, expert counselling and support.

Wider Resources: Creating a culture where it’s okay to ask for help.

Please help me turn my 26.2-mile journey into a lifeline for a student who might be struggling right now.

Every pound will make a difference. Thank you for your support!

🧠 The Healthy Minds Project: Where Your Money Goes

I am running the London Marathon to raise money for the Healthy Minds project at the University of Bristol. Your donations fund this essential service, which provides structured, long-term support for students experiencing mental health difficulties.

What is Healthy Minds?

Healthy Minds is a 12-week physical activity intervention delivered by the University’s Sport, Exercise & Health Team. The programme is designed to introduce participants to the evidenced, long-term mental health improvement benefits of regular exercise.

How Does it Work?

Personalised Plans: Student participants co-create a tailored exercise plan alongside a dedicated mentor.

1:1 Support: The mentor supports the student one-to-one throughout the 12 weeks.

Sustainable Habits: Participants are encouraged to increase their physical activity to a sustainable level, try new activities, and learn how to use exercise as a powerful tool to support their overall wellbeing.

The Impact

It is thanks to the fundraising efforts of the University’s London Marathon runners that the Healthy Minds programme continues to develop and provide the best possible support for students at Bristol.

By running for Healthy Minds, I am helping to ensure this vital programme remains available to those who need it most.

– Healthy Minds participant, 2025