OVER THE PAST two years I've had to face up to the fact that people that I love dearly have experienced suicidal feelings. I can only imagine how terrifying that was for them based on how terrifying it was for me to hear about their thoughts.

I love them, I want them to be alive, well and happy. You feel that way about your family and friends too, don't you?

Fortunately, these people were LUCKY enough to have loved ones like me to listen, to hug them, to be there with them, and to sit with them for hours at a time until the feelings passed.

They were also lucky enough to want to reach out and ask for that support.

At times of crisis, not everyone feels able to speak to someone they know. Sometimes the person they call doesn't pick up the phone,  wouldn't you want to know that help was ALWAYS available no matter what?

That's why Mikeysline exists; its ultimate aim is suicide prevention. 

From its HQ in Inverness, it runs a textline service providing an anonymous, safe, confidential way for people in crisis to access peer support. It also offers 1:1 support by appointment.

At school I ran 800 metres on sports day; I was heckled for my dodgy bright yellow tracksuit and slow finish time - perhaps if we'd realised I had a 3.5cm hole in my heart back then I'd have been championed.

Anyway, I'm fixed now (thanks to open heart surgery) and I'm out there doing my bit for charity - can you help? If you ditched that bottle of wine tonight or a couple of beers or the large slab of sugary cake for one night a week or once a month, what would that free up between now and October - £20? £30? £100? 

What would you give to help someone in crisis? What if that person in crisis was 'one of your own?'

Who will you spend time with in the next 48 hours? Wouldn't you love to know that help was there for them if they felt suicidal? Some of the strongest, most beautiful people you see as 'successful and having it all under control' experience suicidal feelings. 

Help them get the help help they need by donating to Mikeysline today. I'll run the 10k in October (my first one ever), if you'll make your donation now. 

Thank you so much!

Sophia x

P.S. - to some of you 10k might be an easy breezy run, it's only within the last year that I've even managed to complete a 5k so I'm doubling my efforts and I hope you will too. Thanks so much! xx