A Spalding man has a very personal reason for fundraising – and more importantly raising awareness of his chosen charity – in his first-ever marathon.
Adam Davis, who was a police support community officer in Spalding and Crowland for eight years, is in training for April’s Virgin London Marathon.
His aim is to raise £1,750 and spread the word of the work of mental health charity Mind and its residence Ash Villa.
He said: “I have chosen to run for Mind as I am passionate about mental health after what happened to my little sister Alice over the last two years, and my experiences with teenagers during my time as a PSCO.
“Mental health still remains a taboo subject but I hope that by running for Mind and publishing the excellent work that Ash Villa and Mind carry out with teenagers, and the successful story of my sister’s journey and struggle with her own mental health, that people will realise that there is help and support available.
“Mental health can have such a devastating effect on a family, not only the person battling their inner demons, but a diagnosis doesn’t have to be negative.”
Adam said the support Ash Villa and Mind gave his sister, both emotionally and from an educational point of view, gave her the time to find the strength to acknowledge and move on from her issues.
He added: “Watching my sister struggle to fit into school and grow up left me feeling helpless and by running the London Marathon I want to show my appreciation for the help that Mind gave her.
“Putting myself through the physical challenge and the pain of running the marathon will be nothing compared to the challenge my sister has faced and overcome but I want to achieve this to show her mental health isn’t something to be ashamed of and that I am very proud of how far she has come.”
To read Alice’s story and to sponsor Adam visit www.justgiving.com/Adam-Davis15/
