Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am raising money for Mind - the mental health charity! Mental health is very important to me, and I feel it should be treated just like our physical health. However, for so many people this is not the case, people are embarrassed, their is a lack of understanding, delays in treatment, and stigma surrounding mental health.  My background is in nutrition, which is what I studied at University and for a long time, I thought that what health was all about - what you ate and how active you were. However, know due to my job, as well as personal experience, I now know that health and wellbeing is so much more than that - it's also how you feel mentally and ability to deal with life.

For the last two years I have worked as a health link worker in secondary schools, and this has opened my eyes to mental health, particularly with young people. As part of my job I help schools in many different ways from setting up resilience and anxiety programmes, delivering assemblies, supporting student mental health ambassadors, training teachers, and helping students in crisis.

Working in this job can be very rewarding, but also very stressful - so to help me deal with this and look after my mental health I run! I started running about 2 years ago, and to my surprise have carried on.

Running not only helps me stay a healthy weight with all the food I love to eat, but helps me mentally, by getting some fresh air, and the sense of achievement when you run a distance is great. I have personally struggled with my mental health at times, and talking about it helps - and that what Mind helps with - they provide help and support directly to those who need it. There is a network of around 130 local minds that offer specialised support. 

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.