Hiya. My name is Natalie and I’m running Manchester Marathon on the 27th April 2025 in aid of YoungMinds.

YoungMinds is the UK's leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Driven by their experience, YoungMinds creates change so that children and young people can cope with life's adversities, find help when needed and succeed in life.

In April this year I had the pleasure to go along and support my husband as he ran the London Marathon. I was in awe of not only him but every single person there who was brave enough to undertake such a huge challenge. It was from that moment I was inspired to take up running to support my own mental health and hopefully get a bit fitter in the process! I haven’t looked back since. From park runs to 10k’s and a half marathon in October. All this in preparation for my first marathon! I wanted to use this opportunity to support a worthy cause.

Many people have and will struggle with mental health issues at some point in their lives and thankfully we’re getting better at talking about it but for children and young people it is not always as straight forward. They may not understand their feelings or emotions or struggle to reach out for help. The world they’re growing up in is very different from the one I and many others grew up in. YoungMinds provide the tools and support for not only young people but for parents too. Every child matters and every child has a right to be heard and get help when they really need it.

Please show your support if you can 😊