David Chapple Sprint Triathlon Donation Page

Welcome to my fundraising page for Involve Kent a charity that supports carers like me. 

For five years, from Autumn 2019 to Summer 2024, our family navigated an incredibly challenging journey as my wife faced severe mental health struggles. During this time, balancing full-time work, parenting our three children, and ensuring she received the care and support she needed was difficult.

The experience was life-changing for all of us. It placed significant emotional and practical demands on our family, and like many carers, I found that my well-being often took a back seat. My children also faced their own challenges, requiring support for their mental health, education, and friendships. This highlights the reality that when one person experiences severe mental illness, it has a profound ripple effect on those closest to them.

Caring for a loved one with mental illness can be incredibly isolating, but support is available. Charities like Involve Kent offer guidance, practical help, and emotional support for carers and families facing similar challenges. If you are supporting someone with their mental health, know that you are not alone—there is help out there.

This is why I am raising money for Involve Kent by completing my first triathlon because family caregivers are a silent and undervalued army. I want their voices to be heard. I want to make people aware of the sacrifices they make, the emotional toll it takes, and the huge impact it has on their physical and mental well-being. Family caregivers, young and old, matter.

Your support will directly help families like mine – families facing the daily challenges of caring for and living with those with severe mental illness. It will ensure that other carers, who often feel invisible and alone, have access to the lifeline that Involve Kent provided for me.

Please give as much as you can afford, as every £ helps. Below is an idea of how a level of donation can support families and carers like me. Thank you for reading and donating. 

£20 could fund an hour of counselling for a family in crisis, providing a lifeline when they feel they're at their breaking point. £50 could provide a much-needed respite break for a carer, giving them a few precious hours to recharge and care for their own well-being. £100 could fund a support group session, bringing together carers who understand each other's struggles and offering a safe space to share their burdens.