Thank you so much to siblings Natalie and Rob for sharing their story with us.

Rob is running his first ever marathon this weekend in Brighton to help raise funds for and awareness of APP.

We were so inspired after speaking to both Rob and Nat that we asked them to share a few words about their experiences and what they mean to each other.

Nat:
'I am Natalie, Rob’s sister. I’m so proud and thrilled for Rob to be running the 2023 Brighton Marathon. He has dug deep in his physical and mental limits during his dedicated training and it has been inspiring for me to see.

APP is a charity that means a lot to our family as I was diagnosed with Postpartum Psychosis six years ago. After a very happy and healthy pregnancy I gave birth to my son Finn in May of 2017. Seven days later I was admitted to the mother and baby unit at Royal Bethlam hospital and stayed there for three months.

It was a scary time for us all as we had never heard of Postpartum Psychosis and I was subsequently diagnosed with bipolar, but I’m pleased to say that with treatment and tremendous support I have made a full recovery and lead a very happy life.

APP are doing a great job of raising awareness of this illness that so many have never heard of. They provide amazing support to affected mums and families when they need it most and I want my story to provide hope to those reading this.'

Rob:
'I’m so excited to be running my first marathon this week and feel really proud to be representing APP.

It’s so important that we raise awareness for Postpartum Psychosis as it affects families without any warning. My sister was the last person I expected to be visiting in hospital but I’m so happy to say that she’s now living her best life and is the best version of herself that I’ve ever seen.

It goes to show how important the right support and treatment is and that everyone affected by Postpartum Psychosis should have hope for a healthy and happy future.

My sister’s strength and resilience inspires me every day and will be fuelling me on my run; can’t wait!'

You can add your support to Rob as he runs the Brighton Marathon this weekend by visiting his JustGiving page.

On Saturday 4th March, parents Chris and Natalie Wasley will be walking a costal half marathon - trekking nearly 14 miles from Florence House MBU - where Natalie and her baby spent three months in 2019 - to Hengistbury Head and back again.

The Wasleys are experienced fundraisers having already completed a 10K in 2021. Everything they raise from their mammoth walk will be split between APP and Florence House.

Chris, Natalie and Chris's mum are all involved with APP via our peer support schemes for  mums, dads and grandparents, and we want to say a huge thank you to them for all they do for APP.

Chris says: "We are really looking forward to our walk, though we are really hoping that the English weather is on our side!  The walk is all along the coast, so we are being hopeful for glorious sunshine and lots of ice creams along the way!

We decided to do another fundraiser for APP and our MBU because there is no better cause. Having experienced postpartum psychosis and it being ever present in our lives we are so grateful to APP and the MBUs for all the work they do.  We really feel it is important to give something back to them and to carry on raising awareness of this rare and serious but treatable mental health illness."

You can read more about their story, and add your support here: www.bit.ly/theWasleys

We're delighted that Rob Rowe has chosen to support APP with his first ever full length marathon run.  He'll be taking on the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 2nd April and he's currently training hard to be ready for the big day.

Rob tells us why he chose to support APP, and what a positive impact running has had on his mental health:

"I began running more regularly in 2020 as an effort to stay fit during lockdown and to improve my mental health; I quickly noticed a big difference and have been hooked ever since. I've set myself goals each year in order to push myself further which resulted in running 1,500km in 2022 whilst completing my first organised half marathon.

I want to challenge myself even further in 2023 by running a full marathon whilst raising money for a charity that works for a cause close to my heart. APP was the obvious choice for me as someone that has experienced Postpartum Psychosis through a loved one and has seen first hand the affect it can have, and how much help APP provides to those affected."

Find out more and add your support to keep Rob going all the way to the finish line: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rob-rowe6 

Fancy joining Rob and giving the Brighton Marathon a go for APP? You have until the end of February to register for a place - click here for more info.

To get January 2023 off to a flying start, Rachel Evans, one of APP's fantastic team of peer supporters, has taken on the challenge of running every day this month as part of a Miles for Mums and Babies Challenge.

She's aiming to cover 90 miles in total - a number that's important to her as it's 45 miles each way from her home to Winchester Mother and Baby Unit (MBU).  This time six years ago, Rachel was admitted to Winchester MBU with PP when her baby was less than a week old.

A 90 mile round trip is a long way but many women have to travel even further in order to be treated at an MBU where they can be with their baby. Rachel says 'Today I had a good running cry to myself thinking that 45 miles is nothing compared to the distance some women have to travel to get the chance of being treated and supported in a safe place with their baby. In a place that’s right for them - a Mother and Baby Unit.'

Rachel is fitting in her runs around work and children and knows it won't be easy but is inviting anyone local to join her on her routes if they want to.

She's already smashed her fundraising target and is still out running every day, whatever the weather. We're all really proud of you Rachel!

Read more about Rachel's story and add your support for her January Miles for Mums and Babies Challenge here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Rachel-Evans4545 

If you fancy taking on your own Miles for Mums and Babies Challenge, find out more here, or contact fundraising@app-network.org 

There are so many ways you can challenge yourself for APP in 2023 – from skydives and bungee jumps to inflatable obstacle fun runs, marathons, duathlons, ultras, cycle rides and so much more!

You could get a group of friends, family or colleagues together and complete an event as a team, or go solo and take on a personal challenge.

We now have access to hundreds of races, fun runs, jumps, rides and other events all over the country (and even overseas if you fancy it!)

Here’s a few ideas to get you thinking…

• Winter Warmer runs – 5k, 10k and half marathon options taking place throughout February in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Richmond, Milton Keynes.
• Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 10k or half marathon – 5^th March - a road closed half marathon and 10k starts and finishes at the home of the 2012 London Olympics.
• Colchester Zoo Stampede 10k – 14^th May - a unique opportunity to run a 10k that starts in the heart of the Zoo - between the rhinos, elephants, giraffes and zebras!
• Hull Half Marathon - 11th June - This new half marathon features a thrilling city centre start and finish and a largely flat course, offering great PB potential.
• ASICS London 10k – 9^th July - Dash past iconic central London sights Big Ben, the London Eye and the River Thames in a 10K race to remember.
• Hillsborough Castle & Gardens Running Festival 5k and 10K – 24th July - one for our supporters in Northern Ireland, a closed roads event starting and finishing within the beautiful grounds of Hillsborough Castle.

Sarah, who completed the Royal Parks Half Marathon for APP last October said "I wanted the challenge of getting fitter, losing a bit of weight and regular running for good mental health.  What better way to achieve this than the challenge of a half marathon to raise money for APP, a charity very close to my heart. Two birds with one stone!"

Fancy a full length marathon?

We have access to places in loads of marathons including Barcelona, Brighton, Paris, Newport, Goodwood Motor Circuit, Manchester, Amsterdam, Leeds, Edinburgh, Chester and Yorkshire.

Debbie ran the London Marathon for APP in 2022 and had this to say about it: "The marathon was an amazing experience, one which is hard to describe due to all the highlights – from the support from family and friends, the other runners and the huge crowds shouting everyone's name to the feeling of achievement and thankfulness that it was over  It was fab to see APP in the crowds supporting my fundraising and to meet Fliss afterwards with another medal.  If you doubt your abilities to be able to take part in a challenge – just do it – you can do amazing things."

Cycling more your thing?

Brighton Marathon Bike Ride 2^nd April - BM Ride 50km flat ride taking place on closed roads in the centre of Brighton & Hove – suitable for all levels and family friendly!

La Grande Aventure Cycle - 14th June ‐ 18th June - Amsterdam to Lille - Cycle for 4 days, across 3 countries, covering 225 miles, for 1 great cause.

Alice (pictured above) took on a massive challenge for APP in 2022 - she says: “Last year I completed five triathlons in support of APP, finishing with an Olympic distance at the London Tri. The experience of the support and hugging my daughter at the end and being reminded how far I’ve come in recovery was incredible.”

Something different?

Bungee - For anyone feeling brave enough, there are bungee jumps available throughout the year and in beautiful locations over the country - Whitby, Windsor, Bristol, Rotherham, Battersea, Cambridge, Salford, Tatton Park, Brighton, Glasgow, Birmingham.

Skydive - Fancy jumping out of a plane at 10,000ft?! Skydives take place throughout the year all over the UK – locations include St Andrews, Auchterarder, Errol, Coleraine, Swansea, Bridlington, Brigg, Durham, Lancaster, Grange-Over-Sands, Nottingham, Whitchurch, Cambridgeshire, Norwich, Brackley, Maidstone, Salisbury, Old Sarum, Honiton and Cornwall.

Katie, who completed a skydive for us last year said: 'It was absolutely amazing and you must do it once in a lifetime!'

Family Friendly?

Inflatable Fun Runs – 2.5k, 5k, 10k and 15k fun runs around a course involving 17 massive bouncy obstacles! One all the family can join in with. Events take place between April and October in Exeter, Guildford, Kent, Towcester, Leeds, St Albans, Bristol, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Cheshire, West Sussex, Edinburgh, Lincoln, Norfolk, Huntingdon, Warwickshire.

These are just a few of the hundreds of races and activities we have access to – or of course you can come up with your own challenge as part of our Miles for Mums and Babies campaign.

Registration fees and fundraising targets vary depending on the event, so let us know if you’re interested in any of these and we’ll give you the full details.

Got an idea already, ready to sign up, or want us to inspire you?

Contact fundraising@app-network.org – we’re here to support you through your training and to help you reach your fundraising goals.

Sarah Honeywood from Northumberland has chosen to take on a Miles for Mums and Babies challenge to help raise awareness of and funds for APP.

Sarah will be walking 305km over the next few months – which is a particularly impressive challenge when you find out that Sarah is a midwife, mum of a 1 year old and is trying to fit these kilometres in before her second baby is born!

Here Sarah explains why she chose 305km for this challenge and why APP is such an important cause for her:

‘305. Does that sound a lot? I suppose if you're talking about elephants it's a fair number, but if you're talking about grains of sand, it's hardly anything at all.

305 is the number of days I received support from the fantastic perinatal mental health team. This included a stay on the Beadnell Ward Mother and Baby psychiatric unit, outpatient care from the community mental health nurses and support from Action on Postpartum Psychosis. Knowing I wasn't alone during this time was so important and the comforting words of people who had been where I'd been was priceless, both in person and online.

The recurrence rate of severe perinatal mental health problems is conservatively estimated at 50%, so the decision to have more children wasn't an easy one. Knowing that HALF of the women who have had similar experiences to me go through it all again and that I am just as likely as not to end up in the same situation again is terrifying. If it wasn't for the knowledge that I'll be so well supported, Arthur might have been an only child. Come what may, I know that my Hillcrest/Northumbria colleagues, perinatal mental health team and support groups will be there to offer both peer and professional support.

For this reason I have decided to fundraise for Action on Postpartum Psychosis. The presence of their volunteers on Beadnell Ward and the brilliant resources they provide are invaluable and I'd love to help. However, as I'm not much of an athlete I'm going to be walking instead of running! My aim is to walk 1 kilometre for every day that I received care by the time the new baby arrives, so 305km in the next few months

I really hope that some of you can spare a few pennies so help APP continue their fantastic work and supporting families like mine to get through the most difficult period of their lives.’

Thank you so much Sarah for supporting APP and we’re wishing you all the best for your challenge, and with your new baby.

If you'd like to add your support to Sarah's Miles for Mums and Babies efforts, you can find her fundraising page here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-honeywood

A huge thank you to the wonderful team at Clover Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Winchester. They are taking on a #MilesforMumsandBabies challenge this November to help raise vital funds for APP.

A mighty team of staff, mums and dads at the MBU are aiming to run, walk and push buggies 428 miles during November. 428 miles represents the trip that one of their mothers and her family had to make between her home and Winchester MBU to receive care.

The team has been out in all weathers clocking up the miles and they've already raised nearly £700.  You can follow their updates on instagram at @clovermbu_winchester and  add your support here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/winchester-mother-and-baby-unit