I am running my first, (and quite probably last!), marathon for a local charity in Brighton called Grassroots who work to prevent suicide and reduce the stigma surrounding talking about it.

On 10 April, I will keep in my thoughts Nick Greenway, my cousin, who tragically took his own life in 2011 when his adult life had scarcely begun. Running this marathon with Nick in my mind will be a small act of goodness and happiness. 

Sadly, thousands of people in this country commit suicide each year. While the rate has, thankfully, not increased significantly over the 2010s,  the mental toll, economic hurt and personal loss many of us and people we know have experienced since this pandemic started do send home the urgency of the work there is now to be done to support people, destigmatise conversations about mental health and prevent suicide. 

If you can spare a donation through this page, it would mean a lot to me and,  I hope, my extended family. Your generosity to this important, local, cause will give something back to the area the marathon takes place in and will push me to complete a fairly punishing crash course in distance running! Thank you.