Marathon man does it again for Sussex NHS mental health services

The father of four ran five marathons in five days in 2018, raising more than £3,000, and has now completed a virtual New York marathon, making £1,111 for the charity’s Urgent Appeal Covid-19 Relief Fund.

Ian is head of project management for the Worthing-based trust, which provides mental health and learning disability services in Sussex and children’s mental health services in Hampshire.

He completed his latest marathon by running 105 times around the running track at Worthing Leisure Centre.

Ian, who lives in Angmering, said: “Covid will have impacted us in all sorts of different ways. I am doing this to raise all-important funds to help provide the mental health support needed as we all come to terms with the different and difficult world we are currently living in.”

Ian started running more than 11 years ago, after his wife died suddenly, and the money he raised two years ago helped launch a group giving other people the confidence to run to improve their mental health.

Ian said: “Running has become a large part of my life and along with my family has helped me get through some very difficult times. Losing my wife 12 years ago turned my world upside down by suddenly finding myself with four children to bring up on my own.

“Fortunately, I was lucky enough to meet someone else and I have since remarried. It is with large thanks to my wife that she introduced me to the idea of going out a couple of times a week to run. This has definitely helped my own personal mental health.”

It was the virtual Brighton and London marathons this year that inspired Ian to do his own virtual New York marathon, raising money to help people with mental health problems during Covid-19.

Ian said: “Big side effect to the pandemic will be the impact it has on our mental health and these funds will help support people locally to cope and manage.

“Heads On is the charity for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, working at the frontline of mental health services in the fight against Covid-19. Their staff are doing an amazing job of caring for people with mental health problems in hugely challenging circumstances and are working tirelessly to prevent a Covid-19 mental health crisis.

“Every penny I can raise will go towards supporting people with mental health problems during Covid-19. It will provide funding for online projects to reduce loneliness and isolation at home, care packages for frontline staff, suicide prevention projects to make sure everyone gets the help they need.”

To support Ian, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ian-marathon-runningtrack

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