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On October 12, 2014, I made a decision that changed my life forever. I decided I was going to stop punishing my mind and body with alcohol and cigarettes. I had smoked and drunk my way through depression, stress, breakdown and every disaster, big and small, that happened to me since I was 20. At 41, I finally, thanks to Yoga, had the tools to manage my emotions a different way.

The week between the 10th and the 16th of October are highly significant for me and my family in another, far more painful way, as it was this week in 2005 that we said goodbye to my brother Richard. While accepting Richard's death was one of the hardest things I have ever done, it also paved the way for one of the greatest joys ever to come into my life. It was as a direct result of my grieving his death that I discovered how much I love putting my walking boots on and heading to the hills or the coast. Walking has been one of the most powerful healing tools I have, and in the 13 years that have passed since my first mountain walk, it has brought me so much sheer joy, peace and space to process my emotions.

I have done several fundraising hikes over the years since Richard's death, but this one is going to be really special, as it is going to be a fantastic opportunity for me to celebrate not only his life, but my own, and the incredible journey of growth I have been on. I chose to fundraise for Mind, as I think the mental health crisis in the UK is something that urgently needs tackling, and Mind do amazing work in this area. The work I do, teaching yoga and stress management, has highlighted to me just how much of a problem stress, depression, anxiety and mental illness is in this country. If my celebration of my own mental health healing can provide resources to enable more people to be supported, then that will make the celebration so much more joyful. 

Please help me support the amazing work Mind do with a donation, large or small.

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