Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! Bath Two Tunnels Half Marathon isn't my first half marathon (my JustGiving cover photo shows me passing under Clifton Suspension Bridge during Bristol Half Marathon 2019), but every time I've run a half marathon in the past, it's always been for myself. 

My cover photo was also taken about a month before I had a mental breakdown, the result of experiencing severe anxiety and depression brought on by having an eating disorder. It took nine months, a lot of professional help, support from friends and family, and faith to rebuild my life, but that experience opened up my eyes and my heart to the struggles that others in my community face, and to those who don't have the same advantages in life that I do. And I discovered a passion for using those advantages to help the disadvantaged, those for whom daily life is more of a struggle than I will ever experience or truly understand.

This passion led me to getting involved with Spear Bristol as a trustee 6 months ago. This brilliant charity works with 16-24 year olds in Bristol who are facing barriers to work or education, helping them to change what they believe about themselves by equipping them with the confidence, motivation and the vital skills they need to overcome those barriers. They're provided with practical help with drafting CVs, practicing interview techniques and job applications. But the key focus of Spear Bristol is on providing the young people with coaching around mindsets, behaviours or self-talk which stop them from engaging with school or work, working with them to identify the deeper root of the challenges they are facing, and empower them to recognise they have choices and can take control.

I've been so privileged to witness first hand the impact this programme is having on young people, bringing them confidence and hope. Having just attended the closing event of the most recent programme run by Spear Bristol, I feel incredibly inspired and humbled by the challenges these remarkable young people have overcome, and the transforming impact it's had on their lives.

Bath Two Tunnels Half Marathon is my first half marathon since my recovery, and I'd love to use my race entry to raise at least £1,000 towards this fantastic charity, to continue the amazing work the team is doing.