What are we doing?

The Mental Health Foundation is the UK’s charity for everyone’s mental health.

With prevention at the heart of what they do, the Mental Health Foundation aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive.

This is a cause very close to our hearts so Abs & Kate are raising funds by competing 2 epic runs. Anyone who knows us, knows that there's two things we love, running and challenges....and these two runs will be our biggest yet....

Coventry to Oxford

On Friday 28th February at around 6pm we shall begin a solo self supported run of around 73 miles beginning at the CBS Arena, home of Coventry City FC, and run from there along the Canal to the Kassam Stadium, home of our football club, Oxford United. Oxford United host Coventry City at the Kassam on 1st March, and we hope to be there well in time for the 3pm kick off having run through the night.

Having completed what will be the the longest run we have ever done, we will then have a little rest and then have just a few short weeks to recover, refuel and rebuild before the final epic challenge.....

London Marathon

On Sunday 27th April we will run the London Marathon. To run such an iconic event will undoubtedly be a highlight of many years running together, and couldn't be more of a contrast to the ultramarathon as we join 50,000 other runners. As well as loving running and challenges, we also love an ugly cry and a sweaty hug, and there will be plenty of both as we meet so many other fundraisers running to make a difference.

Why?

Abs;

On a training run a couple of years back I saved the life of a young lady attempting suicide on a bridge over a busy bypass near my home. It had a profound impact on me, and I was both sad and angry to learn later that she had sought help that weekend but was told she couldn't be seen until the following Monday.

The Mental Heath Foundation support better mental health by carrying out vital research of the causes of poor mental health, testing and evaluating the best approaches to improving mental health health in communities and being an important voice in the campaign for better mental health provision for us all. The funds raised from this challenge with help deliver this crucial prevention work, and research, to assist in helping people with their mental health before a crisis point is reached.

Kate;

The last year has been a mental struggle for me. I have experienced some of the most difficult days of my 40 years. I have reached out for support to the mental health services whilst trying to manage panic attacks and at times struggling to get through the day (let alone getting up to start the day). I have been offered some e-learning and basically no other support.

I am extremely lucky to have a supportive family and some amazing friends to have helped me through the past year. My hope is that by raising awareness of mental health support and fundraising for support, research and prevention I can help others who may not be as fortunate as me to have somewhere to go when they really need it.