I have signed up to run the Cardiff Half Marathon in October 2023 (woohoo) and aim to raise £400 for the bigmoose charity - which aims to help people with their mental health, prevent suicide, and reduce homelessness by providing rapid access to individualised therapy for young people in Wales. 

I have never ran as far as I intend to, and being a very goal-orientated creature, I need something to aim for if it's going to get me out and running. Usually, I get into going for regular runs when I'm in the middle of revising / stuck in a rut. Running is my "mindfulness" activity and helps me digest my stress.

I'd like to aim for something more than just a "PB" (and it will be a PB given that it'll be the first half marathon I do hehe), and would love to raise money for a cause that I really care about. bigmoose charity work to help young people in need across wales access talking therapy within a week. With waiting lists stretching over 36 weeks, people who were already in need at the time of presenting, are at risk of continuing to spiral further. The only way to get seen rapidly at the moment is if you're at extreme risk to yourself or others - but it should not be getting to this point. Early intervention is so important to prevent deterioration of mental health and escalating risk and stop people getting into a crisis situation - from which it is a much longer road to recovery. 

I've been at a point where my depression almost cost me my life, and without access to free and fast talking therapy - I'm not sure I would still be here. It's so important to start talking therapy way before you find yourself in a crisis situation - but it's so difficult to 1) recognise that and acknowledge that in yourself, 2) get an appointment with a GP to discuss your health, and 3) face super long waiting lists to access NHS talking therapy. 

Our health service is in a in dire situation right now, and honestly I find it ridiculous to have to be raising money for a charity to help ensure adequate health provisions. However, if that's what it takes at the moment - I am keen to contribute and want to encourage you to do the same! 

The target is set at £400 as this is what it costs for bigmoose to provide a full course of therapy to someone. They are currently working on a 1 week turn around for someone to get an appointment. On average, people will have 4 sessions with their therapist. Your money goes directly towards these therapy sessions, so the money you raise helps people first hand. 

I would be so grateful for your donation! 

Update: I have reached my target! Thank you all so much!! But don’t let this stop you from donating! Do keep the donations rolling - would be ace to to raise as much as possible and fund part of or a whole another course of therapy!! 

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Info about bigmoose: during lockdown we were providing therapy for lots of people and were told by five people that without our intervention they would have ended their lives.due to early and impactful intervention 5 people were still alive. 5 families weren't grieving and the world still had these amazing humans in it. we listened to people's stories & one thing that we kept hearing was that the therapy & intervention that people needed was taking too long and was inaccessible for so many. and so, just like that, project 1 million was born. throughout 2022 we are aiming to raise £1,000,000 which will be used to provide therapy and early intervention for people.this is a huge goal and we cannot do it alone. our goal is to help people with their mental health, prevent suicide and reduce homelessness. we will achieve our goal and we will save lives. in 2020, 5224 people killed themselves in england and wales. this project will help to reduce this number. we hope you will join us.