Story
UPDATE: I did it! On 22/23rd July 2023, I ran the 96 mile Jurassic Coast for CALM. It took me 36 hours, I had two 15 minute naps and it was during the worst weather of the year. Thank you so much to everyone who donated towards this crazy crazy goal. Donations are still open and will remain so while we make this documentary which is scheduled for release in Spring 2024.
WATCH THE FUNDRAISER TRAILER HERE: https://youtu.be/Pee0SzzRbIM
In July 2023, I’ll be running the 96 mile Jurassic Coast in order to raise £10,000 for the suicide prevention charity, ‘CALM’, (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
This is a charity that is incredibly close to me, particularly as my Grandfather took his own life when my Mother was very young- the devastating ripple effect from suicide can impact generations. Last Summer, we also lost a close family friend, Sam Holloway. I ran the London Marathon for them last year + wanted to make it bigger this year.
We're aiming to raise £5k before the run, and £5k after the run through screenings of the documentary that we're making and other OffPiste events!
CALM exists to offer their free and confidential helpline 7 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to change that:
-Every week we lose 125 people to suicide
-75% of all UK suicides are male
-It’s the biggest killer of men under 45.
-One suicide directly affects 135 people - leaving a lasting impact on family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and acquaintances.
CALM stands together with everyone who’s struggling with life, no matter who they are, where they’re from or what they’re going through. And they do it through their life-saving services, national campaigns, building communities and answering the 155,525 calls + webchats they had last year.
This is going to be a huge personal journey which is why that also, during the 6 months of training, we (OffPiste Theatre) are producing a documentary about the process, consisting of interviews with experts on the subject of suicide and mental health, conversations with young men, the training process, as well as the 96 mile run itself which I'll be aiming to finish in less than 36 hours.
If you can, I’d be really grateful if you could donate towards the fundraising target and share this page on social media - £10,000 is a lot of money (ahhh!) ... if we can even get anywhere close to that number then we'd be so so happy.
Thank you so much,
CALM:
Our helpline and webchat are open 365 days a year, offering practical suggestions for all of life’s problems - whether that’s anxiety, relationship concerns, health worries, money worries or suicidal thoughts. Our staff answer a call every 66 seconds - they listen, talk and help people struggling with life to make a plan so they can begin to look to the future.”