I have been on a mission to raise money for a cause close to my heart. In August 2018, I lost my cousin Ged to suicide. Every time I say or write that I still can't believe it. I still feel as shocked and sad as the day I heard the news. Ged was a brilliant cousin, he was also an amazing son, father, husband brother and friend. The life and soul, wickedly funny and loyal and caring. We still can't believe he is gone and we will never really know why.

My 40th birthday loomed large in 2025 - when we were kids Ged always loved being the 'older cousin' by a whopping 6 weeks! How I hated those weeks, being the baby, feeling so young and little. We laughed about it as adults. Then I realised - Ged would never turn 40 with me, we wouldn't get that 6 weeks. So instead of staying sad I set about the '40Kbefore40 Challenge'. So that when march 2025 (and then may 2025) comes around maybe I can feel just a little bit less sad - that for someone else, or their family, they will get their 40th celebration, someone will get their 6 weeks as the younger cousin. Someone will get their tomorrow.

A series of fun events for people to enjoy and personal challenges- while raising money for great cause. In 2023 the world suicide prevention day theme was 'hope through action' and in making a donation to the site today - for whatever part of the challenge you are supporting then please know that's what you are doing. HOPE THROUGH ACTION

There is hope...there is always hope.

Ruth and Team 40k before 40

R Wilson - Ultra Marathons 2019 - £2500 (previous just giving)

C Davison-Culmer London Marathon 2020 - £2300 (previous virgin money giving)

Christmas Wreaths -2022 - £400 (bank transferred to mind)

R Wilson and C Davison-Culmer - London Classic 2022- £1500 (previous just giving)

R Wilson London Marathon 2023 - Inc, Lon Classic, Blue Tuesday and Live Music - £4761 (enthuse page)

Matched Funding from donations from Barclays Bank (Allison Liddle) - £2000 - bank transfer / letter to match directly supplied to mind from Barclays

GNR 2023 - Chris, Ruth, John, Carmel, Gary - £2000 (current just giving page and the page of Gary carr)

Matched funding from Lloyds bank - £1000

Dh1- live music night £4090

Christmas wreaths 2024 - £1000

John sexton 40th birthday -£500

Mind charity ball March 2024- £6087 (inc £500 matched dining from Barclays Bank)

Ruth Wilson skydive March 2024- £1500

Mind curry night and raffle - May 2024 including £1000 matched funding from Barclays Bank - £2140

Ruth and Andy Wilson, London to Brighton 100km continuous - £1750

Knee bother music night – July 2024 - £1000

Great North Run 2024 *Bernadette Davison, Carmel Davison, Ruth Wilson, John and Fiona Sexton (including Newcastle shirt raffle) - £3225

Final 40km before 40 event 19/10/24 - £2747 this page and £2963 on the just giving pages of Carmel Culmer, Niamh Boyle, Alex Morgan, Josh Glover, Ruth Hurst, Kimberly Roddick, Beverly Wildish.

Gift aid total for whole challenge - £11,115

Raffle and matched funding from Lloyds Bank 19/10/24 - £1000