Story

Why We Run?

Where to begin? An insight to why I run. I run because it
literally saved me. I spent the best part of ten years of my life being
ridiculed for my weight gains, not a day went past where I wasn't called fat
and ugly. What didn't help was the knock-on effect this had on my mental
wellbeing, this caused me to comfort eat into obliteration.I was unhappy in my life and my state of mind. I would take months off work at a time just because I couldn't bare the torture. Looking at myself was revolting and every day I went to work I was reminded of that.

I found a great sense of purpose in my life when I found
running. I found that no matter how depressed I felt or how depressing my life might get, no matter where I am, I can strap on a pair of trainers and leave it all behind. No matter what, it's something that can never be taken away from
you. The beauty of running is it’s all relative to the individual whether you are just beginning your first 5k or preparing for your first 100k we all have to overcome the burden of choice. Do we choose to give up and give in to that pain or do we push on?

I have found we are beyond what we ever perceived to be
plausible or even possible. Now I am on the search for the breaking point. The precipice of what's achievable. All the years of heartache and bullying I regret nothing, because that mental resilience has brought me to where I am today. Running has helped my mental health in ways I hadn't thought possible. It has traversed into my ability to deal with real world situations and I recommend it to everyone.

But this isn't about me, It’s about a great friend of mine,
Lewis Robling. Not only has he set out his own mission to make aware the mental struggles we all face day to day but has set up his own 250km event for Big Moose. Lewis has made a commitment to run all 250km Ultra Marathons this year and instead of buckling when one got cancelled he has worked tirelessly to create a replacement to raise money for an incredible charity who help everyday people with their mental battles. They save lives and I have been given the great honour to be a part of this event. It will be gruelling, cold, wet, dark and at times unbearable. But for me, for us. For everyone taking part in this adventure. It's for a bigger cause.

I ran my first marathon in February and that hunger has led
to Ultra Marathons, however this is the first time I have run for charity but this charity resonates with my journey of Mental Health. One single pound can make all the difference and help towards the journey of others.

Please, I am not asking you to give me money because I am running,
I am asking you to donate to those who are in more need of it than me. Who haven't found "their" running.

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.