I am so pleased to run the London Marathon for Healthy Minds as a University of Bristol Alumna. Having been selected last year, but having had to withdraw due to injury, I am even more determined to make it over the finish line this year!

I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2018, with sport playing a huge role in my time there. Whilst netball has always been my passion, running became a fantastic outlet for stress and anxiety throughout the pandemic. Whilst I have kept up running since, this hasn't consisted of much past 10km runs so the impending task of 42km is rather daunting.

Nevertheless, I am proud to support a charity that is working to support Bristol’s students’ mental health, and I truly believe there is no better way to do this than through physical activity! The mental health and wellbeing of students at the University of Bristol is a key priority. Suffering with mental ill health disrupts students' academic studies and personal lives, often causing them to miss out on the transformative and enriching experiences offered by higher education.

UoBs Division of Sport, Exercise and Health (SEH) launched Healthy Minds in 2016 with this knowledge at the heart of it. The programme helps students affected by mental ill-health to get more active through user-led, personalised support. It includes sessions with an activity mentor, a tailored activity plan and support for future health maintenance, as well as access to a range of classes, clubs and sports opportunities.

Every pound raised will help to improve the quality and quantity of support offered, helping even more students.