Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. For those of you that know me well will know why I’m crazy enough to be running the TCS London Marathon on April 23rd 2023. I actually started this marathon journey in 2020 but sadly due to covid the event was cancelled & my place deferred. I will proudly be running this for Coventry & Warwickshire MIND.

Tuesday the 15th October 2019 was to be a life changing day for our family when my cousin Mark Hickling sadly passed away. I am blessed to have had a lifetime of wonderful memories of Mark growing up, his mischievous, funny character & his wicked sense of humour but above all his big heart full of love & kindness. Unfortunately Mark in his adult years went on his own personal journey into a very dark world where he battled with his own demons & his own addictions of which later took him far too soon from us, his beloved twin sister & loving family.

In addition to losing Mark we have since been faced with more heartache when on January 10th 2021 we lost our dearest friend Sharon Turner. I was lucky enough to have spent 17 years with Sharon in my life  & have so many wonderful & personal memories of her over the years. Sharon was beautiful, she was smart, strong, independent & a successful lady who brought love & joy to so many & was loved by so many. Sadly she also suffered with her own journey of Mental Health & addiction which eventually took her away from her devoted family & her many friends, again far too soon. 

Sadly we are not the only family  that have been affected by mental health. Unfortunately so many people in todays society & thats including my own friends  & family have either had or have a connection with some form of mental health issues & or addiction & I know when you read my story you will probably be relating!!!!

While the training is very tough & the commitment ‘full -on’, I am driven by my admiration for the wonderful work the charity MIND does. Raising both funds & awareness will help the charity & its brilliant volunteers to help at least one person have the courage & bravery to speak out & get the support needed. Hopefully this will help other families from suffering the loss as we did. 

Having read my story I now ask you to show your support to me, to Mark, Sharon & to anyone you may know who is suffering & of course to Coventry & Warwickshire MIND via this fundraising page.

Thank you for any donation that you can make, big or small. Your contribution will help make a huge difference & will be gratefully received & very much appreciated. Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart .