Earlier this year my Dad spent 2 weeks in a secure psychiatric unit with severe depression which he has had for much of his life. We are lucky that he was brave enough to recognise that he needed help. The hospital was pretty bleak and as a result of being sedentary he was rushed to A and E with a blood clot in his leg, discharged after 8 hours only to return 4 hours later with breathing difficulties and a large clot in his lungs and pneumonia. Miraculously he survived and after 2 weeks was transported back to my childhood home which none of us ever thought he would see again.

It's been a very long road to physical and mental recovery for him. On one dark day where I felt so helpless as to what I could do, I rang Mind and spoke to a wonderful lady who was kind and empathetic, recognising the the effects of poor mental health on the individual, but also the ripple effects on the family. Charlie had firmly decided Mummy loved Grandpa more than him as I was away so often!

Running is my mental therapy and I am running the Oxford half marathon to support a charity that many of us may need to turn to at some point in our lives. I know that times are tough.......any amount you could spare for sponsorship would be massively appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Lots of love xx

P.S. My Dad is 96 #madeofstrongstuff!