Hey Folks! A big T H A N K  Y O U for visiting my donation page.

I’m so excited to be representing Team Sussex this year in the Brighton Marathon! This cycling event was originally supposed to take place in September; but after being postponed to this Spring, I’m raring to go and eager to ride, and I kindly ask for your support for this event.

My training plan has consisted of cycling around London (which I’ve recently moved back to) and it’s been wonderful getting to know the city streets again. I’ve also been cross training by doing yoga, getting back into the gym consistently and dipped into the Olympic Pool for swimming! I aim to complete the 55km cycle in 2.5 hours or less! Here’s a little more information on why exactly I’m doing this event.

As University of Sussex alumni I’ve reflected on how the counselling services had been a constant means of support for a very formative time of my early adult life, with a special mention to my counsellor George who actively listened to me every week for four long years. Over the last few years I’ve been striving to get in tune with my mentality- how I work, how I respond to things, and how I can regulate my emotions when problems arise. During this time, long standing passions such as singing, film photography and athletics almost ceased to exist whilst I was trying to reflect on my own mental health ‘without rose tinted glasses’. 

Succumbing to the truths of our own mental wellbeing can often present as difficult and traumatic, even more so for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ identities who struggle with generational trauma as well as workplace and societal discrimination. The suppression and/or neglect of these identities in expressing our mental health experiences can be as detrimental as the inevitable and daily micro aggressions faced. Being ignored, not taken seriously, accused of ‘seeking attention’ and other condescending opinions can regrettably leave us feeling raw, exposed and easier for us to ‘fall through the cracks’ of the welfare system. For so long patriarchal teachings have often placed black lgbtq+ women at the nethermost rankings of society, and this has NEVER sat well with me. It is a PRIVILEGE to have any black identity in your home, in your group of friends, in the workplace etc so we can listen to their experiences and truly learn how we can make our spaces safer and more inclusive. 

Black lives should ALWAYS matter and this should also be extended to the mental health system. It’s not ‘peace love and reggae’ all the time; it is already culturally difficult for African/Caribbean communities to be wholeheartedly accepting of mental illness. Young persons can often avoid reaching out to services or other family members due to bringing shame to their own culture or ‘not keeping the peace’. But in the words of Audre Lorde: “the woman’s place of power within each of us is neither white nor surface; it is ancient, it is dark, and it is deep” (Lorde, 1984:26). We MUST make peace, sit down and have tea with our thoughts and with the depths of our mentality for the intention of healing and understanding; using it to propel us forward in our achievements.

SO thats where ‘Wheels for Wellness’ comes in. Fortunately owning a bike throughout my time in Brighton has helped myself and others fabricate a unique relationship with nature. Seeing the world go by at a particular pace feeds the ‘healthy escapism’ we need to replace uncontrollable dissociation and help alleviate the racing thoughts which can manifest negatively in the physical body. Physical practice such as this is something I have cherished for some time and I have placed moving and respecting my body at the forefront of my daily training and rest days.

I would love to raise more awareness for a cause so close to my heart, whilst contributing to research which will hopefully offer more insight into our healing practices. Holistic strategies to mental health treatment (physical exercise, daily breath work, healthy and boundless communication) would hopefully provide long term methods in bettering our lives in the most authentic ways possible. After the treacherous few years we’ve had cooped up with covid, I’m sure we can all relate to the mental wellbeing in some way, and hopefully realise the importance and reap the rewards in preserving our mental and physical health. 

My starting goal was £400- any contribution of any size is greatly appreciated (even sharing this is fab hehe)

I’m so excited to take part in this, not long to go now! Spread the word, take care, and I appreciate you for reading this long wall of text!

Grayce x x 

*Lorde, Audre (1984), Sister Outsider, ‘Poetry is Not a Luxury’, Penguin Classics, pg 26