I’m Tammy. I’m a mum. And once, I wanted my life to end.

I’ve lived with poor mental health for as long as I can remember, but everything changed after my beautiful little girl was born.

This wasn’t sadness that would pass. It was panic, shame, and a noise in my head that wouldn’t stop. I heard voices. I stopped sleeping. I wanted to end it. I hit the absolute bottom. I nearly didn’t make it to see my little girls first birthday. I was admitted to hospital, medicated, put on waiting lists, handed a slow drip of help while everything felt like it was burning.

I stayed alive because a few people refused to let me fall: friends, family, people who called and sat with me when I couldn’t speak. I’m still waiting for the therapy I need. I still have bad days. But I’m here. I’m clawing my life back, bit by bit for me and for my little girl.

I’m running the Great North Run 2026 for the Mental Health Foundation because the waiting nearly killed me. Because people shouldn’t have to beg for help. Because if services were faster, kinder, and better funded, someone might still be here to see their child’s first birthday.

If you can, donate. If you can’t, please share. Even £5, even a share, even telling someone you see them — it matters.

The Mental Health Foundation is the UKs charity for everyones mental health.

With prevention at the heart of what they do, the Mental Health Foundation aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive.