I'm extremely proud to say that I have been given a place in next years London marathon, and grateful to Mind, the mental health charity for giving me the opportunity to raise much needed funds in honour of my cousin Harry.

Mind provides crucial support to anyone who is experiencing a crisis or has a mental health problems. They offer many different methods of support and have helped over 120,000 people in the past year alone. My hope is that by the money raised, it will help just one individual/family from going through what we have.

If you didn't know already, on the 12th March last year, I came home from work to be told by my mum, that my cousin Harry, had taken his life. Harry was the closest thing to a brother I'd ever had, and the heartbreak shattered through our entire family. Everything was going for him; Popular, doing well at work, happy relationship, looking into buying his first home. He was the life and soul of the party and was dearly loved by us all. As is often the case, his pain was masked with a laugh and a smile that would light up whichever room he was in.

If I'm honest, the last year has been a bit of a blur, having mental challenges of my own. But in May, I was inspired by Harry's girlfriend Cristina, who completed the Milton Keynes Marathon in Harry's memory. Being there and cheering her along with all of her/our family and friends showed me that no good comes from looking for answers and living in the past, life goes on and if she can do it, so can I. 

So hear I am, about to give the London Marathon my best shot, with Harry in my heart, and with my friends and family there to get me over the line.

And remember, if you're struggling, please talk. No good comes from bottling it all up, trust me.

Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Let's do this

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