Hi everyone,

For those who don’t know me, my name is Paul Cornwall and I work as project worker at The Wellspring, specifically focussing on supporting individuals who struggle with problematic substance use and mental health issues.

Overall, The Wellspring supports individuals with a range of multifaceted issues and a major aspect that underpins most complexities is directly related to mental health. One specific factor related to the development of depression and poor mental health over a person’s lifetime is becoming overweight. This then contributes to unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity.

For those who know me personally, I have managed to overcome different aspects regarding my overall wellbeing. However, for over 20 years the one thing I’ve struggled with the most is gaining the motivation to lose weight. As fore-mentioned, this also contributes to the increase in unhealthy eating, lack of physical activity, and daily low mood.

However, over the last 18 months, I have managed to lose just over 3 stone with the support from Alex Knight, all the staff at Shinny’s gym Stockport and my two lads, Harry and Olly. The encouragement I have received from these people has been instrumental in helping me cultivate the motivation needed to overcome the aspects of my depression, which has affected me for such a long time. I truly can not thank them enough! I suppose it’s like most things in life; you must experience the negative before you can fully feel, appreciate and know the positive.

So, over the years I’ve always said that I wanted to run the Manchester 10k, but honestly, due to being overweight I never really felt I could do it. HOWEVER, having managed to find the support and the motivation to lose my weight. I think it’s time to get out of my comfort zone and attempt to run the Manchester 10k! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and especially in aid of The Wellspring and the services it provides. 

As I will be starting from scratch and my journey will begin with the couch to 5k, hopefully there will be enough time with my goal aiming around the hour mark as I haven’t ran 5k since Marple Hall! A long, long time ago lol.

I will be capturing my journey through videos and pictures, with the support from others who also want to support The Wellspring and be a part of the whole experience.

I must highlight that I really do understand the difficulties of the time that we are all living through at present, especially with the rising living costs but if you can, please donate to support this vital cause that The Wellspring provides,

Wow that was emotional!

Paul