Mission Possible 2026!

For the last eight years, I have suffered with mental health issues and, like most, I chose to suppress them until I could no longer and I hit a point where I was considering taking my own life.
Then a friend reached out and told me about Andy’s Man Club.
Andy’s Man Club is a men's mental health club that meets every Monday, and it's here that I learned to talk about my issues and find ways to not only cope with them but also see light at the end of the tunnel.
This club has literally saved my life, and as a token of appreciation, I chose to participate in their Mission Possible campaign, which involves setting a seemingly unachievable goal and achieving it.
In May 2025, I decided that I would start running, and what a journey it has been so far. I started with trying a 5km Parkrun, which I really struggled with, but I was determined, I sought help and guidance and pushed on, and I completed my first 5km run non-stop, and it was emotional!! Yes, I cried.
Did I stop there?
 
NO!
 
I pushed on and managed a 7km run, then on to a 9.99km run (yes, the dreaded Strava tax robbed me of 10km), pushed on for distance and managed a 15km run.
 
Then it was time for events.
I signed up for a local 10km race in which I set my sights on achieving 1h 12m, and I obliterated that time and managed a 59m 50s 10km!
 
I could see the goal now, I had to aim bigger and signed up for the Great Scottish Run (half marathon) and set my sights on a sub 2h 30m time, which I managed a 2h 26m time! The emotions were unreal! I was a bubbling mess! Me, yes me, I just ran a half-marathon!!
 
So why am I telling this story?
Well, for 2026, my Mission Possible target is even bigger!
 
So far, I am booked to complete:
·       Manchester Marathon – April 2026
·       The Great North Run – September 2026
·       The Great Scottish Run – October 2026
And because I am stubborn, I am looking for a further 2 half marathons and 1 more marathon, which is where you can help.
I need to raise money as part of the requirement for a charity marathon ticket, so I am setting my aim low with only £500, but I hope by the time I finish next year that this will have reached 10x this amount.
 
If you would like to donate, you can use the QR code below, which will also let you track my progress as I have linked my Strava.
 
Stay safe, and if you know any men or you are a man who is going through some stuff, then there is help out there, just head along to your local Andy’s Man Club and see what it's all about.