Running for LGBTQ Mental Health

Last year I decided to take on a challenge and run a marathon. I got into running in my mid 20s as a way to destress and be more active and it's been a great release for me over the years and supported my mental health in positive ways.

With Covid delaying the marathon and then me breaking my ankle it seems 2022 is the year. I've never really been a long distance runner so this is a HUGE challenge for me, 26.2 miles eeeek!

The Mental health of a lot of people in the UK has been impacted by Covid-19, however impacts on mental health are shown to be a lot more adverse within the LGBTQ community in general as well as thoughout the pandemic. Loss of spaces, lockdowns and lonliness in particular have hit the LGBTQ communty hard. Services like the ones MindOut provide (counselling, befriending) saw a huge increase in demand throughout the pandemic whilst at the same time traditional fundraising methods decreased due to covid restrictions imposed upon us.

Last year I lost a family member to their poor mental health which sadly brings the total of people in my life to 4 who felt there was no where else to go. This just shows me that the work that MindOut carry out is so so important and so invaluable and will undoubtedly have saved and continue to save many lives, maybe even one of someone close to you.

Motivate and support me in this challenge by helping me raise funds for MindOut so that they continue to give those within the LGBTQ community who are suffering with their mental health somewhere to turn to for help.

Any donation no matter the size will be greatly appreciated and you can follow my training and the marathon on strava linked to this page or if you use strava you can add me. I will also post some updates on my progress etc via instagram @christopherghunt

See more about the services the charity offers below.