We want thank you for your donation to Mind in support of our 100km trek. Thank you for your kindness and generosity; this charity means so much to us and we feel they desperately need our support, in their mission to provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. They won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. They believe no-one should have to face a mental health problem alone.

Kirsten and Maria xxx

I feel very passionate about cause as I know first-hand how difficult it is to find support and guidance with mental health difficulties. Since approximately the age of 14 I have struggled with depression and anxiety, and receiving the support and help I needed did not come easily. These services are so underfunded I didn’t get any sort of help until the age of 17 - and even then I was on a 2 year waiting list to see a counsellor and an even longer list to see a CBT therapist. Fortunately my parents could afford to pay for the £20-60 per hour sessions to go privately, however I know for so many people this just isn’t feasible (a prime example being one of my close friends). I had a very bad time during 6th form, I won’t go into detail but I am not proud of myself during that time with what I put my family and friends though. I am slowly getting better and things have been much more positive these last couple of years - however there is still a way to go.

I want to support Mind as I don’t want other people going through similar things to have to suffer in silence, with the stigma of a mental illness and the feeling of abandonment by the health services. This is an invisible illness and it is too often pushed to the side to make room for the more high profile (visible) illnesses.

Once again thank you so much

Kirsten x

Just Keep Walking xxx

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.