The Mental Health Foundation is the UK's leading charity for everyone's mental health. With prevention at the heart of what they do, the Mental Health Foundation aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive.

After 2+ years in a pandemic with several emotional lows, I think we can agree that mental health affects every one of us in some form. Whether its nervous habits, stress, anxiety, or depression, the range of mental health complications can manifest in a variety of ways. Through supporting charities, like MHF, which drive change for good mental health for all, we can all be healthier while also working to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.

For me personally, running has been an eye-opening way to manage & maintain my mental strength. And really I mean eye-opening...as I was not exactly forrest gump when it came to youth sports (yes, I was a goalkeeper and no, I could not finish most mile-tests with ease or any amount of dignity). So to my surprise, I took well to running at the beginning of the pandemic, starting small and ultimately completed a half-marathon by June 2021. During the fall of 2021, I moved to London, and continued to run. Running helped to sustain my mental fitness and allowed me to tackle head-on the challenges of leaving home and finding my bearings in a new city and country. I feel very fortunate for my experience so far, and the value added by staying mentally healthy. 

Ultimately, the chance to run a marathon in my favorite city in the world for a cause that I hold so close to me is a dream realized. Thank you for reading and appreciate any amount of donation! Look forward to crossing the finish line, (hopefully) with ease and certainly with a heck of lot of dignity knowing the cause I run for.

Cheers!!

Bridget

[a.k.a London Bridge :) ]