Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'll be running the Marathon des Sables in April 2019 for IHeart. The reasons behind this is based on my own experience with depression and the unfortunate path it led me down. Depression consumed me not just mentally but also physically, to the point where getting out of bed to have a shower seemed impossible. I was unable to drive for a period of time, communicate with family and friends, even getting from the bottom of the road back home was a challenge. 

I felt guilty, ashamed and very lonely. I had grown up in a family that gave me unconditional love, the best eduction and support, and there wasn't anything more they could have done to give me the best upbringing. Yet I was feeling the way I did, which made me feel spoilt and ungrateful. However, I didn't know how to carry on, I had lost all hope and fight. In that moment, I took an overdose and wrote "Sorry". Looking back, I know I didn't want to die but I just didn't know how to live in this never ending nightmare. I woke up not knowing where I was, my head was in a brace, electrodes placed on me and cannulas inserted to supply sufficient fluid to make sure I was stable and alive. At first I was unsure of what happened and then I was overwhelmed with sadness. Two worst parts about that moment, firstly, I still didn't know how to help myself and I was so scared about that and secondly, I hated what I was putting my family through.

For a year and a half after this, I worked on myself daily with a therapist and attended the courses provided by Innate health, which was a massive influence on me being able to be in the position I am in today.Therefore, in honour of how far I have come and wanting to help others not go through what I did. I'll be raising money and awareness for IHeart by running the Marathon des Sables. IHeart is a charity that has been created by Innate health, that has developed a unique curriculum for children to gain awareness of their own thoughts. Our children are suffering and in order to solve this problem, the IHeart curriculum shows young people that change only ever happens from the inside out. It focuses on education, prevention, and mental wellness rather than mental illness, understanding the thinking that drives our destructive behaviour. I know that if I had received that help early on I may not gone through the trauma that I did. 

Marathon des Sables - April 2019 

A self-sufficient footrace, that covers 250 km across the hot conditions of the Sahara Desert. With my PhD focusing on exercise performance in the heat and interventions to offset the reductions seen when exposed to these conditions, it seems fitting to celebrate my achievement of getting to the place I am through racing at this event.  

Tent life: I would like to mention and thank Catrin who I will be sharing a tent with, on spreading the awesness further by informing her network of the brilliant IHeart cause. Thank you to all those who visit the page! 

Special Thanks - 

To my therapist and the councillors at Innate Health. 

To my mum for being my rock and providing me with the opportunity to get better. To my sister for always listening when I feel confused, sad and more so now to my jokes!! Papa, I wish you were here to see how far I've come as you left us 2 months after seeing me in the worst place. Everything I do and try to achieve is always with you in my heart. You were and will always be my inspiration.