6 years ago I spent a few months in the chilly foothills of depression. Thanks to the help of a wonderful GP and the support of family, friends and colleagues, return visits to those dark places have been blessedly few and brief in the years since, and I am aware just how lucky I am to be able to say that. As a university lecturer,  I've also seen too many young people prevented by mental illness from enjoying the early years of their adult lives that should be full of carefree fun and happy memories. MIND does extraordinary work, influencing legislation to protect sufferers, and campaigning to improve services and change public perceptions, while also giving vital support to many thousands of individuals through the website, helpline and local groups. 

The R.E.D. January campaign requires participants to Run Every Day in January 2017. I have only recently started training for a 5k run, so I can't promise that any astonishing feats of endurance or speed will be recorded in my daily updates (if 2k is really the most I can manage some days, so be it!), but I do commit to getting outside and giving it a go every single day in January 2017. Please cheer me on by giving whatever you can in sponsorship to support the campaign and the charity.