On 2nd September I’ll be taking part in the Rat Race Man vs Mountain event

https://www.ratrace.com/man-vs-mountain

I’ll run about 22 miles from Caernarfon and climb to the top of Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), then down to Llanberis.

I am doing it because I want to. I’m doing it because I like to challenge myself to do things that push me out of my comfort zone. I am doing it because I am comfortable with being uncomfortable. I love being in nature. I’m at home in the wilderness. I know that it will be demanding physically. But running, especially in rugged environments brings me a peace that supports my own mental health and wellbeing.

Clearly, I’m doing this race for my own reasons, and I have paid all my own entry fees. But I also believe passionately in supporting others. A significant part of my recent career has been spent in working for charities that provide mental health support services. I believe in the work that many charities do, but the two closest to my heart are Shout and Place2Be.

They both do amazing work. Place2Be provide mental health support in schools through one-to-one and group counselling using tried and tested methods backed by research. Their work helps to prevent children from having to face mental health challenges alone.

Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Their volunteers and staff are there all day, every day to support anybody in the UK.

Neither of these charities could do their work without the vital funds that allow them to employ and train the many dedicated professionals and volunteers that deliver their work. I always try to not make asks of my network. I am very aware of the challenging economic conditions in which the world and individuals find ourselves. But, in these most challenging of times, charities feel the financial pressure as much as any organization.

So, I’ll make a request of my network this one time……….if you have just £1 to spare, please donate on my JustGiving page. You can select which of the charities you’d like to donate to, and every single donation will go directly to them. I’d like to try and keep the amount roughly even between the two if possible.

Thank you for your support.