Thanks for getting this far. 

Exactly what I'll be thinking as I drag my skanky toenails and ailing limbs around the streets and canals of Amsterdam for 26 miles to try and raise £2k for SANE. 

Why? 

Well, you don't need to be a parent, teacher, aunt, uncle or therapist to know the pandemic hit young people harder than anyone. This age group is psychologically battered, and when you add in wars, climate, cost of living, alongside the daily strife of teenage life, it all gets too much. They think dark thoughts and some even tragically act on them. It's not just one or two. 96% of kids said their mental health has affected their school work. Just as shockingly, 78% said school made things worse. Truth is, schools can't cope. Every school needs a full time psychotherapist, at the very least. 

Many of you may know both my daughters have battled serious mental health issues in the past 2 years. There are families everywhere going through the wringer, often afraid to come out and admit it to other parents, despite their kids being in a self-destructive state. Slowly, we're all opening up and telling the truth about our children without feeling like it's entirely our fault. 

It's true, we give them phones, then social media turns the screw, piles on the pressure and gnaws away at their insecurities. But the truth is, families need to share their struggles and in doing so, we all wise up about how to deal with mental health in 2023.     

SANE is a brilliant charity devoted to mental health. They dream of a day when no individual or family has to face the distress or isolation that comes from coping with mental health alone. I've worked with SANE via the students at Falmouth University and can testify how strongly they believe in this dream. They are also independent, so have nothing to do with the government (thank god). They work round the clock to reduce the impact of mental illness, improve treatment and care, and change policy so we can cope with the ever increasing demand.  

Times are tough (financially, as well as psychologically). But if you can kindly sponsor me a few quid, here's how it could help. 

 £10 – could answer a call from someone in crisis, providing understanding, compassion and guidance.

£25 – could help fund an hour of personalised ongoing support for someone isolated and vulnerable.

£50 – could help to train a new volunteer – equipping them with the skills needed to provide high quality support.

You are all fantastic people with so much going in your lives and I know I'm asking a lot and I've probably been overambitious in running this far at this age and trying to raise too much, but I can but try. 

It's a deal I made with my body long ago to run a marathon for something I care about every decade of my life. Time is running out in my fifties. 

Love to you all, and stay well and in touch with someone, always. 

Pete

x

PS: In case JustGiving is new to you, donating 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.