The cause I wanted to support by running the Paris marathon was not immediately apparent to me. There are a vast number of charities whose work I view as being lifelines to many, especially in a world that perhaps has a tendency to displace the importance of human life in favour of financial benefit. Choosing where to direct my energy in light of this was reminiscent of the playground game 'stuck in the mud' , and I found that the decision required me to consider my beliefs on how societal change should be brought about.

I became 'unstuck' on the matter rather unintentionally, as is often the case with difficult decisions. After spending a bright day walking in the countryside, surrounded by friends, my mind settled naturally into one particular stream of thought; that I wanted to lead my life in a way that reflects my hopes. That even if my actions are only equivalent to one raindrop in a downpour, any amount of positivity inherently can't be negative.

The previous two years of my life had been spent struggling to come to terms with my experience with sexual assault, searching for anything that eased the pain. There were times where I felt as though I was completely consumed by the event, and by the need for relief. I often dreamt of being able to return to a happy childhood day, where my only worry was being found in hide and seek. Time kept moving, as it always will, and eventually I was able to find comfort in present moments. With the help of friends and family, I started to spend time outside again, where my mind could relax. Even on the most difficult days, playing cricket or going for a walk flooded a previously half-empty glass.

Having my own wellbeing completely changed by participating in sport and spending time in nature is what inspires me to try and support these aspects of life, and encourage other people to do the same. Women's Sports Trust and The Conservation Volunteers are two charities I feel reflect this. I am lucky enough to now be in a position to be able to run a marathon in order to support them, which is a challenge that would've seemed impossible for me to undertake only a year ago. Both charities share the hopeful mindset that I live with now, and are passionate about promoting sport and experiencing nature as ways to make a positive impact on wellbeing.

I would be so grateful for any donations to either cause. It would mean so much to me to be able to contribute to making a wider impact. If you would like more information on their work, the links to their websites are below!