Hey everyone.

I have took the leap and decided to run the London 2025 Marathon in aid of the mental health charity Mind. The people who know me, know why I am doing this, but for the people who don't, I will tell you my story now.

On 22nd March 2024, my biggest brother Callum Tighe, decided that life was no longer the right place for him, and took his own life, just one month after his 30th birthday. Callum has left behind so many broken hearts and such dark empty holes in everyones life who knew him as he was quite literally the life and soul of every party, and was the sort of lad who could put a smile on anyones faces. Callum's 6 year old son is being so so brave without his daddy by his side, and his partner Rebecca has been doing a phenominal job of keeping Callum's memory alive.

A few of Callum's family and friends got together to raise money for a local mental health charity, as well as to raise awareness of mens mental health, in honour of Callum. I wanted to do my own thing to raise awareness and money in honour of a mental health charity, because losing my brother has shown me that literally anyone can suffer, and you really truly never know what goes on behind closed doors. If I can raise awareness and money to support a mental health charity, that may help even just one person get the support they need, or maybe think twice about what they are wanting to do. I would not wish what we are going through as a family on anyone, and I will do whatever it takes to prevent others from experiencing this.

I personally suffer with mental health, as do many people close to me. I am running this marathon in memory of my brother, first and foremost, but also in memory of anyone else who has ever lost their life to suicide, and in aid of anyone currently suffering or have lost anyone to suicide.

Running this marathon is going to be extremely challenging for me, as I have complications in my knees and my spine, however I am determined to push through this, and I will train as hard as possible whilst keeping within my physical means, in order to run this marathon. I have never ran anywhere before, but between now and the marathon, I will be completing Couch to 5k and I will be gradually building up my strength to run these 26.2 miles.

STATISTICS

~ Latest stats show in England one person dies from Suicide every 85 minutes.

~ 3 out of 4 suicides will be men.

~ Suicide ends more lives than leukaemia in the UK.

~ Globally one person dies as a result of suicide every 40 seconds.

~ Over 800 000 people die due to suicide every year.

~ Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally.

~ If you are Male and under 50 in the UK you are more likely to die by Suicide, than by accident, illness or injury.

~ Three quarters of people who die by suicide will not have been in contact with mental health services.

~ Depression is the biggest single diagnosis of people who die by suicide

~ The number of people who experience suicidal thinking is at least 10 times higher than the numbers of people who die by suicide.

~ Many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness.

~ In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour.

~ Suicide rates are also high amongst vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants; indigenous peoples; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) persons; and prisoners.

~ By far the strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt

~ 1 out of 4 people will suffer mental health problems. But these are only. the reported statistics. Imagine how many people out there suffer, but in silence.

HOW YOUR MONEY CAN HELP (As mentioned on Mind's website)

~ Your support ensures we can be there. On the other end of the phone, in local communities, and campaigning hard for better services and support.

~ £5 could help put our information in local GP surgeries, helping people to make the crucial first step of asking their doctor for support.

~ £20 could help our Infoline answer calls, giving people vital support.

~ £50 could help us campaign for better mental health services from the Government. With your help, we can make sure people get the support they need, as soon as they need it.

~ £100 could pay the cost of one of our Infoline or Legal Line advisors for a whole day. Thanks to your gift, we can make sure our advisors are ready to answer calls for help and support.

However big or small, your donation helps.

Any donations to this wonderful charity are greatly appreciated, and will definitely give me that extra push to keep going when all the running seems impossible!

Thats all from me, I hope that you can all help my fundraiser and help me reach my £2,300 target by sponsoring me to run the 2025 London Marathon. If you are unable to donate, please just share because a share raises awareness and spreads the word round more! Any donation helps, even if its only a tiny amount - it all helps!

Thank you in advance to everyone who is going to help support me! I will continue to share my journey on my facebook page so keep an eye out for updates!

~ In loving memory of Callum Tighe, 16.02.1994 - 22.03.2024

This one's for you bro, love and miss you more than you can imagine. xx