My father, Dr. Garth Wood, was a respected psychiatrist who killed himself when I was a teenager.  

He made a career of studying the human mind and still was unable to find a way to find peace in his own.

He was a fiercely brilliant man and I wish he had had someone to hear his pain.  I wish he had someone smarter and more capable than I with whom he could speak when things got dark.

Mind is a charity that provides just that.  Support for those who suffer depression and support for family members who need hope that their loved ones won't dissolve before their eyes.

Mind's president, Stephen Fry is a survivor of depression.  I met Mr Fry once and let him know how much I wished my father had role models like him to look up to and lead the way in reducing the stigma against mental illnesses.  

He told me about Mind, and I've been keen to support them ever since.

I'm taking part in Tough Mudder this September and I hope you will support me as I try to raise money for this terrific charity.