Our three fabulous runners in this year's London Landmarks Half Marathon
A huge thank you to our three amazing runners who took part in this year’s London Landmarks Half Marathon (LLHM) on Sunday 1st August to raise awareness and money to support APP’s work; Andy Rolfe, Kirsty Curtis, and Emma Polhill.
The LLHM takes in some of the capital's world-famous landmarks on closed roads in central London and is the only half marathon to go through both the City of London and City of Westminster. The race started by The Strand, and finished by Downing Street and included views of London’s most iconic landmarks including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Nelson’s Column, the Gherkin, the Shard, the Tower of London and the London Eye. With 11,000 runners the atmosphere and support on the route was joyful. Not to mention the incredible fancy dress: from the Spice Girls, Bagpuss, a wind turbine(!), penguins and much more…
Andy says: "I ran this half marathon to raise awareness and funds for APP, who have supported my family ever since my partner Emily was admitted to a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) for psychiatric care in 2017.
Thanks to the wonderful NHS staff and APP support she has made a full recovery, and our family is healthy and happy. Since recovering, Emily has started volunteering for APP, sharing our experiences with new MBU staff and other medical professions. APP has developed an online community for those affected by this illness and is working hard to provide support whenever and wherever they can.
This is the work I want to help continue, so that other families receive even better support than we did, and to minimise the impact of the illness on people’s lives."
After the event Andy said: ‘I'm really happy with the fundraising effort and all the people who backed me/contributed to APP. I had a pretty good run for most of the race, although it dropped off in the last few miles, so I ran in 1 hour 45 minutes in the end. Next stop is the full marathon in London in October which I am also running for APP’.”
You can still visit and donate to Andy’s JustGiving page here.
Kirsty says: "When my daughter was just five days old I became very unwell with postpartum psychosis (PP). After a few months of feeling ok, or so I thought, I stopped the medication and had a relapse. This time the amazing perinatal team felt something else needed to be done so I was admitted to a MBU in Bournemouth to recover. As hard as it was being away from my husband and son, I received amazing care for about four weeks.
During my recovery I found the amazing APP, which allowed me to meet others who have also been through PP, making me feel less isolated and alone. If it wasn’t for APP and the women I met through them, my recovery journey could have been a lot longer and harder.”
After the event Kirsty : “The race was really good, and the atmosphere was great. My time was 2 hrs 23 mins, roughly what I was aiming for so I was happy with the result. It was so lovely to meet Emma after the race and hopefully we will keep in contact with each other too.”
You can still visit and donate to Kirsty’s JustGiving page here.
Emma says: "After having my second son I was extremely ill with PP. I had never heard of PP before and only really understood what it was after a few months of being in an MBU where I had been sectioned for my own safety.
The recovery from PP is very long. One and a half years on, I feel like the old Emma is back. It’s been a long 18 months but I have had the most amazing support around me. The MBU, the Community NHS Teams and the Adult Mental Health Services have been amazing. I ran this half marathon for other women with the illness who are in need, I hope the donations can help other mums."
After the event Emma said ‘The atmosphere was great and it was so nice to take part and meet Kirsty too.’
You can still visit and donate to Emma’s JustGiving page here.
Our three runners have raised more than £2,600 for APP. We would like to thank Andy, Kirsty and Emma for supporting APP and everyone who has donated.
If you have been inspired by our runners, we would love to support any fundraising ideas you have. Get in touch here.
Emma and Kirsty