Dear friends, family and aquaintances.

As many of you may know, last year a tragedy occurred and I lost a friend who is very dear to me. Her name is Emilie.

Emilie touched the lives of everybody she met and was a much loved companion to many, many others, not to mention a very special daughter and sister to her family. She always showed kindness and gentility to everyone who crossed her path and is missed dearly. She was a clever and beautiful young woman.

Emilie had suffered with anxiety issues for some years and later, suffered periods of mild depression. Sadly, she could see no other way to end the pain than to end her life.

In our lives, 1 in 4 of us will experience mental or emotional distress at some point, and many more of us will know someone who this affects. It is estimated that depression will be the most common cause of death by 2020.

MIND is a charity that works to alleviate the pressures of people who are living with mental distress. They provide talking therapies (something that is limited due to lack of funding from the NHS). They research medication and its effects from a patients perspective. They provide a help line for people who are in distress. £6.90 provides a lifeline - the cost of a trained member of staff answering an enquiry to the MINDinfoLINE.

Emilie is the inspiration for me to take part in the GREAT SOUTH RUN. She loved to run herself and enjoyed nature. We occasionally ran or walked together. MIND advocate fresh air and excercise as ways to keep ourselves in tip top condition. £40 enables a local MIND association in providing and encouraging these type of activities. Emilie herself supported MIND charity as worthwhile cause.

MIND also stress the importance of communicating and really being listened to...................without judgement or expectation. Something we could all take the time to practice.

So, thank you for reading this page and showing your support.

Please take the time to sponsor me in this event and donate to this charity to help to prevent further suffering. 

10 miles is a long way you know!!!!!!! And with only 10 weeks to go, i'd better get me running shoes on!!!!!

So until then......thank you.....

Love louise

Updates to follow..

 

Race all complete and donations raised. Run completed in 1 hour 35 mins...........not bad eh!!!!!!! Thank you to everyone for all of your support and generous donations. Emilie.........you are still and always will be an inspiration............