Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have decided to support my cousin in a walk for MIND - this is Helen's story:

Hello. I have titled this page team page in order for it to be used to donate to by anyone who wishes to sponsor the team in general as opposed to an individual within the team - ultimately the donations go to the team target anyway.  Otherwise you could just choose a team member randomly to sponsor- safe in the knowledge that your sponsorship will end up in the same place, with Mind.

So, In September I will be completing the 50k route of the Thames path challenge, along with a team I have created, in order to raise funds for Mind. Our team includes myself, my parents Jan and Ken Farebrother, my sister Emma Farebrother and her partner Clarissa McCann, a good friend, Edwina Hayes and my cousin, Carol Pike.

Mental illness affects us all - whether we suffer personally or we watch someone we love suffer, it still hits us hard and it knows no bounds.

I myself have spent years in and out of psychiatric units and on numerous medications. Psychiatric units are tough but it was in Winchester unit a few years ago that I met Jen, one of my closest friends.

I have set up our team - A Jen-tle walk for Mind - in memory of her - as she recently lost her own battle with the cruelty of mental illness. This loss has been my inspiration, to do something for her - something that matters.

Mind do very valuable work, offering support to those in need, as well as campaigning for better treatment and reducing the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

Others in our team have their own inspiration for taking on this challenge eg caring for somebody with mental illness and other experiences they have had.

Each of us will test our endurance and fitness as we take on this walk - a walk we would love you to sponsor us for. Every pound sponsored is a step towards our goal.

For myself, this walk will be far from easy. My fitness levels are very poor and my weight is morbidly obese, almost at the highest it's been. It will take determination and heavy training in order to complete the walk - but something is only worth sponsoring if it pushes you well out of your comfort zone. This definitely does that, and your sponsorship will make it worthwhile. Please consider donating what you can to this worthy cause.

We would like to help Mind to change the way things are and continue their work - for loved ones - family, partners, friends - and on my part - for someone who touched my life deeply but who lost the fight far too young - this is for you, Jen.

Helen, team captain.

I also dedicate my walk in memory of Rosie.