On 21st December 2014 my older brother, Simon, died by suicide. He was the archetypal older brother; caring, annoying, funny, annoying, supportive, and - above all else - annoying. Almost a decade on from his death, I am still shocked that he was clearly struggling as much as he was.

However, it is a situation that affects a huge number of people: on average, 125 people take their own lives in the UK each week with 75% of those being men. Suicide remains the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50.

But that is where CALM are hoping to help. CALM are a hugely important and incredible charity that focus their efforts on suicide prevention and mental health support. They operate a telephone service every single day throughout the year from 5pm until midnight on 0800 58 58 58 and also run an online webchat service on their website. Both of these are free, confidential, and entirely anonymous.

They are also focused on changing attitudes and perception of suicide, through campaigns that help broaden society's understanding of suicide and helping unite people to try end the stigma around suicide and mental health issues.

However, CALM can only continue to do these things through the help and support of fundraising and donations:

• £8 funds a potentially life-saving call.
• £20 can put CALM materials in the hands of campaigners.
• £80 can run the CALM website for a day.

On 14th April 2024, the day after what would have been Simon's 46th birthday, I'm running my first ever (and probably last ever) marathon to try and raise more money for CALM. Therefore, please donate and make what has been my worst life decision to date that tiny bit more bearable.

I have hated every single second of every single run that I have ever done, the only comfort in doing this marathon is that Simon would have found the amount of pain I'll be in hilarious.