This September I will be taking on my next challenge: a 250km multi stage ultra in Pembrokeshire covering 6,900m along the Welsh costal path as part of the Why We Run 3.0 team to raise money for Bigmoose Charity.

Who are Big Moose?

Bigmoose are a mental health charity who support people who are struggling through therapy and early intervention.

There Cause:

In January 2022 they set out to raise £1 million for mental health. 486 days later with over 11,000 donations they achieved this incredible feat. This has helped save and change so many lives. But there is more that needs to be done. With a passion to change lives and make a difference to the world, they have set a target to raise £15 million for mental health.

Long waiting lists are a huge contributing factors to why we are seeing a rise in suicide rates. People need help, and they need it quickly. Big Moose helps through their intervention.

£400 will give someone struggling a round of therapy (4 sessions) with one of their therapists. Money also goes towards mental health training in businesses and education.

Our Aim:

Our team goal is to contribute £25,000 for this event. Anything you can spare to donate and help this wonderful cause would be immensely appreciated. A few pennies, pounds or simply spreading the word and sharing this page, your support means so much. 🧡🧡🧡

My Why:

Those who know me will know that I have had my own personal battles with my mental health, in particularly with regard to my eating disorder. After years of being silent and fighting this alone, I finally opened up to the world after I was hospitalised due to low potassium levels.

It is incredibly difficult to open up and speak about these sensitive issues and topics. Speaking about how we feel in general can be tough enough. There is a real sense of fear of how those we love will react and respond. And how can they truly understand how it is you feel and the reasons for this to happen? There is a fear of our how our peers will see us, from being perceived as weak and being made to feel ashamed. Communicating this through just words is hard as it is so difficult to express our true feelings.

And not everyone has a supportive network through friends, family and partners, or access to external support to speak out about and express themselves.

I still know many people who simply do not understand, and the negative painful impact it can have.

The narrative needs to change and we all have to hold accountability for this. We can all make a difference, we have to.

Some stats for context:

1 in 15 people (3.7 million) in England attempt suicide!

1 in 4 people will experience mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, in there lifetime.

61% of adults with mental health conditions don't access treatment

15% of the deaths worldwide (approx 8 million a year) are attributable to mental disorders

9/10 people with mental health problems say that stigma and discrimination have a negative effect on their lives and stops them asking for help.

25% of people in England (approx 14 million adults) say that they feel lonely a lot of the time