I’m Tom, and I’ve spent my life supporting and learning from people struggling with their mental health.

Last year my family and I were devastated to lose Mum in a sudden accident. Mum was 62, lived in the Flintshire area and was very popular wherever she went! You couldn’t get very far without bumping into someone she knew.

We loved her very much, and miss her every day.

Mum taught me so much about mental wellbeing and resilience. She had experienced difficult times in her life, but picked herself up and carried on regardless. Her experiences gave her a deep empathy for other people, and the way she saw the world is something I’ll always try strive to. Mum had time for everyone.

In her memory, I am running the Conwy Half Marathon on November 17th. Mum made use of her local Mind services, so I’m raising funds to support the excellent work North East Wales Mind do.

After a very painful year for my family, this is an opportunity to remember Mum and her spirit in a positive way, and support other people like her who deserve a bit of human kindness.

North East Wales Mind help people in the Flintshire and Wrexham area to recover from mental health problems and stay emotionally healthy. All funds we raise together will help them to provide counselling, courses to improve low self-esteem and group activities to increase people’s confidence.

Here's how our fundraising will make a difference:

Just £5 will provide information leaflets for up to 5 people experiencing mental distress for the first time, often in desperate need of reliable information to help them come to terms with what's happening.

£35 provides a counselling session for someone who has experienced bereavement, redundancy, a long-term illness or disability, and can help them get back on track.

£60 funds an outreach drop-in session: a lifeline for people who are socially isolated due to problems like depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

£100 covers a place on a self-help training course for someone experiencing anxiety, depression or unbearable stress - allowing them to learn to manage their condition and help themselves recover.

We all need a helping hand sometimes. Please join me in celebrating Mum’s life by donating and cheering me on 🏃‍♂️