I'm sure all of you know or know of someone who suffers with their mental health, or maybe it's you. Sadly, it's not something that's visible and many sufferers hide what they are going through until it gets to desperation point and they may sadly take their own lives. This is not only a gut-wrenching and tragic waste of wonderful humans but leaves many broken hearts behind, hearts that never really heal.

That's why, this year more than any, I want to support a wonderful and life-saving charity, Samaritans, who carry out their work quietly on all those days and nights where we aren't even aware of what is going on for so many people who are in immense emotional pain.

Emotional pain is not only mental, it manifests physically too; there is a huge gut-brain connection and depression and anxiety cause disease and illness on a huge scale.

I can't run this year as I broke my ankle on a cross-country run recently but I have a month from when I'm writing this to get it strong enough to bike every day, so that is what I'll do. 20 miles of biking every day of the month, mostly on a mountain bike or sometimes as a 10 mile walk - Scout and Lottie will be coming too. And while I'm doing it I'll think about and remember everyone I know, or know of, who has felt the debilitating pain of their heart and head being in a lonely, sad and worried place.

UPDATE 12 May

I have found I can run now - it's slow and I have to intersperse some walking but I'm mostly doing 10k runs or a mix of biking and running.

I'm doing this as part of a team - Nuush has set up Every Day in May 2021 and we are all fundraising together and aiming for the stars.

Thank you for reading this and do let me know if you would like me to tell anyone's story.

Sal xx

P.S. If you are feeling sad you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 xx