Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In January 2021 during another lockdown, the impact of COVID and the effect it was having on me personally and professionally was starting to take its toll. I did go on the occasional run already, but I decided to download Strava and saw there was a challenge to run 100km in a month. So I did it. Then I did it again in February, March, and for every month of 2021. It was hard at times and it was just a personal challenge that some close friends and family knew about, something to aim for each month. Then the idea to run a marathon was planted, and at the start of this year I bit the bullet and signed up for the Manchester Marathon. While it's a huge personal challenge and something I never thought I'd do, I also want it to be for the benefit of others as well.

One in four of us experiences a mental health problem each year. I definitely feel that running has helped with my mental health, but not everyone can get out for a run, or find something that can keep them going when times get hard. By raising money for Mind, more people with mental health problems get the support they need and the respect they deserve. They provide a lot of great resources, not only for people experiencing issues with their mental health, but the people supporting them as well. They believe that nobody should face a mental health problem alone, which is a message I strongly believe in and will motivate me when the training gets tough. The largest killer of men aged under 35 is suicide - that statistic needs to change. The world can be a dark place and it's been a tough time for a lot of people over the last few years - MIND can provide a light for those that need it most.

For those that know about my injury history and 3 ACL reconstructions I've had in my knees, there is also the extra challenge of getting them ready for 26.2 miles of pain!

I appreciate you taking the time to read this if you've got this far, and would appreciate a donation even more to this fantastic charity.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.