On 1st April, I will be running 75K from Manchester to Sheffield over the Peaks for UK Mortgage Prisoners, a not for profit organisation supporting those that have been trapped since the 2008 financial crisis on crippling rates.

These mortgages were sold by the government to 'closed book' inactive lenders, largely investment companies that don't offer new products. With the introduction of the FCA’s affordability criteria, borrowers were unable to pass criteria for a new product with an active lender. My property fell into negative equity shortly after I obtained it which trapped myself and ex-partner for years, unable to sell or remortgage.

The government, who generated a £2.4bn profit, acknowledged that selling these mortgages to inactive lenders had the potential to severely harm consumers, but didn't take action to prevent this.

Prisoners have suffered financially, mentally, and physically with the horror of being unable to escape unaffordable mortgages. In the past year, near-monthly rises have seen some prisoners' rates leap from 4.5% to as much as 8.29%. My rate has increased 11 times in the last 12 months, from a rate that was already 3 X higher than average.

The numbers of trapped customers falling into poverty, going hungry or losing their homes through repossession, is increasing. Some have taken their own lives. In my case, I have been trapped financially to an ex-partner, who dispite splitting 15 years ago, has been able to use coercive control, financial/economic abuse due to mortgage prisoner status. I've never been so disempowered, without control over my life or future; blocked from selling or remortgaging in my own name, and left responsible for the mortgage and a 17k debt that was never mine.

Running has always helped me to maintain mental health. Training for the Peak Divide has helped me to feel strong at a time I've felt helpless, and focus away from the crippling stress while I proceed with legal action on my personal situation.