hey friends 👋

My name is Ella and next April, I will be taking on a challenge that is very close to my heart. I will be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise much needed funds for Mind Mental Health Charity.

In April 2023, my wonderful friend Catryn lost her Mum Paula to mental health. I was never fortunate enough to meet Paula, but she was loved dearly by everyone who knew her and made a mark in the world with her presence. I can say with confidence that she was a truly amazing mother, for raising one of the strongest and most kind-hearted persons I know.

Every step I take during this half marathon will be in memory of Paula, and everyone else who has been affected by mental health challenges. Mental health is more often than not a silent battle many endure but this should not be the case. Mind provides crucial services, including counselling, support lines, and advocacy, and they campaign for better mental health awareness across the country. Every donation, big or small, will go such a long way and is incredibly deserved.

This half marathon will be a huge challenge and places me completely out of my comfort zone! It will require training and dedication, however if this provides just a little bit of aid to such a great charity then it will all be worth it. I am so lucky to be taking part in this event with my amazing friends; Georga, Catryn and George. Together we will endure the blisters, aches and pains hoping we have made family, friends, and Paula proud.

Please consider supporting my challenge, by donating or sharing this fundraiser page with your networks. Donations as small as £20 will allow Mind to run their online support community for an hour, helping people connect with others and feel less alone. Together, we can ensure that people have access to the help they so vitally need. Of course, donations may not be an option for some but simply raising awareness of the charity and spreading the word is incredibly valuable too!

Never suffer in silence. Reach out to friends, family, and organisations such as Mind.

1 in 4 people experience mental health problems and so please do not feel ashamed. We all have dark days and sometimes all it takes is one person to make life that bit brighter.

Thank you so much,

Ella x

In loving memory of Paula Lovitt