Some of you might know that I have been training for the Athens Marathon for, what seems, forever! I have been boring my family and friends with all silly Marathon training facts and have been antisocial for at least 6 months!

I have now completed the Authentic Athens Marathon and i am enormously proud of myself. I am still trying to make this worthwhile and fundraise for something close to my heart. Papyrus is the national Charity for the Prevention of Young Suicide. 

Up to recently I did not know that suicide is the biggest killer of young people under the age of 35 in the UK, every year over 1800 young people take their own lives. 

Last February our family became painfully aware of this fact as a close relative, a beautiful girl of 13 attempted to end her life. In the same week one of my son’s closest friends unfortunately succeeded in his attempt. He was an ordinary 14 year old, from an ordinary family that just couldn’t see a way out of the difficult moments that life sometime brings. 

PAPYRUS provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINE247.  Every £5 raised can contribute towards a life-saving contact to HOPELINE247. 

With that in mind, I will run, walk, crawl the 42 km of the authentic Athens Marathon (the one on the route set by Pheidippides  running from Marathon to Athens to announce the win of the Athenians over the Persians in 490 BC, sorry for the history lesson) on the 12th November. Your donations will keep me going and of course will make this endeavour worthwhile.  

Thank you!