All posts by Fliss Lambert

24 April 2025

Our biggest fundraising weekend!

This Sunday sees a huge number of amazing APP fundraisers in action all over the country, and beyond!

Not only do we have five APP runners taking part in the world famous London Marathon, we also have one runner in the Manchester Marathon, a team of 8 in the Antwerp 10 Mile, and a walker taking on the 23 mile Glasgow Kiltwalk!

All of them have been training hard for months and months in preparation for this weekend, as well as fundraising. We're so grateful to all of them and are looking forward to cheering them on on Sunday.

Read on to find out more about each of our amazing supporters.

London Marathon

Holly was lucky enough to secure a ballot place in this year's London Marathon, and fortunately for us, she's chosen to represent APP. Holly has fundraised for us before, running a marathon a month back in 2016/17! She's passionate about supporting APP because her sister had PP in 2013 after the birth of her son, Holly's nephew, Leo.

Holly explains: 'As Leo and my daughter, Imogen, were only born six weeks apart, it was a very challenging time in our lives. APP gave us support at the time and since then I have raised money for them through lots of running events.

The London Marathon is on my bucket list. I watch it on the news every year and feel inspired by all the people lacing up their trainers to raise money for such awesome causes.'

Thank you for running for us Holly! Good luck. Add your support for Holly here.

Satpal also secured her place in this year's marathon via the ballot, and has chosen to run for APP.

Satpal has run several marathons before and but says she decided to support APP this year because: 'The cause is close to my heart as two lovely ladies and their families had to deal with this condition and that because of that I wish to raise awareness'.

Satpal will be running alongside her husband Parv on the big day. Thank you and good luck to you both!

Add your support for Satpal here.

Sarah is a very keen runner, having run eight marathons before! She got her spot in the marathon this year as a deferred Good For Age place from pre pregnancy.

Sarah suffered with mental health problems, including suspected PP after the birth of her baby Flynn, in 2023. She has chosen to share her story here to help other new mums who might be feeling like she did.

She is passionate about raising awareness of PP and wants to give something back by taking part in the London Marathon this year. Sarah is running to raise funds for both APP and the Beadnell Mother and Baby Unit in Morpeth where she was looked after so well when she was ill.

Good luck Sarah! Support Sarah here.

Chay is another keen runner who managed to get a place in the London Marathon via the ballot this year.

Chay is dedicating his run to his good friend and survivor of PP, Jade Lloyd, who was diagnosed with PP four months after having her daughter back in 2021. Jade has inspired Chay to learn more about PP through her dedication to spreading awareness, educating health professionals and helping mothers struggling with PP.

Good luck Chay! You can follow updates from Chay on Instagram here and add your support for him here.

Kate is probably our most experienced marathon runner, this year managing to secure her 4th 'Good For Age' place for the London Marathon, and so decided this year to run for APP.

She tells us why she chose to represent APP this year: 'My close family friend Sally Wilson, (APP's National Training Co-ordinator) suffered from this crippling condition and raising awareness of the condition is very important as spotting early signs can save lives.

I hope to raise some money for this very important charity to help in the wonderful work that they do.

When the going gets tough around the 19 mile mark Sally will be in my heart to spur me on to the finish!'

Kate is fundraising through organising events including a coffee morning next month. Thank you Kate - you're an inspiration! Good luck!

Manchester Marathon

Ellie

We're so proud to have Ellie representing us in the Manchester Marathon this Sunday. It will be her first full marathon and somehow she has managed to fit in the training for it around her busy job as a perinatal psychiatrist.

Ellie says she chose to run for APP because: 'Perinatal mental illness is an area that I feel really passionately about. It was only recently that it was something people didn't really talk about but we now know that improving perinatal mental health can have a huge impact on the whole family for years to come.
When I was a foundation doctor, it was seeing a woman who had postpartum psychosis on the maternity ward that first triggered my interest in Psychiatry. I hadn't even heard of the condition and couldn't believe that somebody who was previously well could become so unwell so quickly after birth to the point that they were unable to look after themselves or their baby. It stayed with me as one of the most shocking and saddening illnesses I had ever come across.
Charities like APP can have a really big impact in this rapidly developing area to provide support to affected families and to improve awareness of this condition.'

Thank you Ellie - have a great run! Do look out for Ellie if you're in Manchester this weekend and add your support for her amazing marathon efforts here.

Antwerp 10 Mile

On Sunday, Elke, Kwame and several members of their family will be taking on the Antwerp 10 Mile run - part of Belgium's biggest running event.

A fab team made up of Elke, Kwame, Tom, Adèle, Ruud, Lau, Vincent and Anne will be running a total of 80miles between them - while Opa and Oma will be looking after baby Nana and cheering the team on from the sidelines!

APP is a cause close to all their hearts, and we're so proud to have them representing us in Belgium for the first time!

Find out more about their challenge, and add your support here.

Glasgow Kiltwalk

Kirsten is taking on the biggest walk available as part of the Glasgow Kiltwalk - 23 miles from the centre of Glasgow all the way to Balloch on the banks of Loch Lomond. Kirsten has chosen to support APP with her walk because her sister Jodie (also a past APP fundraiser!) suffered from PP after the birth of her baby.

Kirsten says: 'APP helped my sister feel a sense of normality and comfort during a confusing and traumatic time. By providing Christmas presents to all of the mums in the Mother and Baby Unit that my sister was staying in, that small gesture helped spread some joy during a dark time - while giving the mums a reminder that people care about them. Postpartum Psychosis is a condition my family and myself were unaware of until we experienced it with Jodie, so having a charity like APP to spread awareness to the condition is so important as it is a lot more common than you realise.

The charity helped my sister to realise how many other women experience this illness, which made her feel much less alone and alienated and was a lot less scared knowing that other woman have survived it…so she could too!'

Thank you - we hope you have a great day Kirsten! You can add your support for Kirsten's Kiltwalk here.

2 April 2025

Brighton Marathon Weekend!

This weekend sees the 15th anniversary of the Brighton Marathon weekend - a huge festival of running across the vibrant community of Brighton & Hove, and APP has its biggest ever team taking part!

There will be plenty of purple clad runners to look out for, with 16 people running for APP in the Brighton 10k, and six in the full marathon.

APP supporter Juliette (pictured above with some of her team) will be taking part, and has rallied her friends and family, assembling a huge team for the 10k event, including her husband Ross, plus Rose, Savannah, Spencer, Theo, Tori, Didi, Grainne, Lia, Sarah and more.

Juliette's friends Bethan, pictured here, and Nick have chosen to go the extra mile (literally!) and will be taking on the full marathon. The team have already raised an incredible £2,500.

Juliette says: 'I'm so grateful to my wonderful friends for taking on this challenge for such an amazing cause. Brighton is an important city to me and has been my home for 15 years. It's great to be taking on a run in my home city, with so many fantastic people by my side. This team has supported me thoroughly each step of my recovery and I can't wait to celebrate with them at the finish line.'

Our other amazing APP Brighton marathon runners include Becky, Alex, James and Rob.

Mum of three Becky has taken on this massive challenge to help raise awareness of PP. She experienced PP after the birth of her twins in 2021.

Back in 2023, Becky raised more than £3200 as part of an APP Miles for Mums and Babies challenge, walking an amazing 43 miles in a single day.

She says her three girls are her motivation for getting out and training through the coldest months of the year, and her family will be there to cheer her on on Sunday. Support Becky here.

Alex has chosen to run for APP as his wife Michelle suffered with PP after the birth of their daughter. Michelle is also taking part in the 10k in Brighton this year.
Support Alex and Michelle here.

We also have two runners who loved representing APP so much before they're back for more! James completed the Paris Marathon for us last year, and Rob ran Brighton for us in 2023.

We'll also have plenty of APP cheerleaders along the route, and our new purple APP flag will be getting its first outing so look out for fluttering in the sea breeze!

Blue skies are forecast so it should be a wonderful event - keep an eye on our socials for updates throughout the day.

Wishing all of our runners lots of luck! Have a great day.

7 January 2025

Join us for an APP Adventure!

Join us for our first ever APP Adventure!

Imagine taking part in an invigorating hike through beautiful Derbyshire countryside, alongside other women and families who have been affected by postpartum psychosis. Talking, sharing stories and coming together to raise awareness and funds to help make a difference for others.

Be part of our first APP Adventure.

Saturday 21st June - Mam Tor Challenge, Peak District, Derbyshire

Mam Tor means 'Mother Hill' 💜
An 8 mile/13km circular walk, including Mam Tor and passing through the village of Hope.
Total ascent: 514m
Time: Approx 4 hours

Registration Fee: £25
Minimum fundraising target: £200

What's included:

Event run by experienced charity challenge organisers Sky Blue Adventures
APP fundraising pack and support with your fundraising activities
APP branded t-shirt
Goody bag
APP medal
Highly experienced mountain leaders (fully qualified and first aid trained)
Insurance
Snacks to keep your energy up on the day
Lots of laughs, smiles and the chance to make new friends and memories!

Places are limited so register soon to secure your place in our first APP Adventure Team!

If you have any questions or need more info before you register, contact Fliss - fundraising@app-network.org

We can't wait for you to join us on our first APP Adventure!

1 January 2025

What it's like to run for APP

'At the start of the year, I fancied setting myself a challenge, so I signed up for the Great North Run. Rather than applying through the ballot, I chose to raise money for Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP), a small mental health charity which had been supporting my wife.

APP accepted my application and asked me to raise £250, which sounded achievable. The charity said it had two other free spots left, so I convinced my sister-in-law and her boyfriend to join me.

I hadn’t run for a few years and getting back into it was hard, particularly navigating the hills of Caterham where I live. When I began training, I ran out of puff after a couple of miles, but I pushed myself to go a bit further each week. The charity had sent us all fundraising packs, including a snazzy vest, and encouraging emails, which motivated us to keep at it.

APP’s professional fundraiser Fliss had also asked me why I had chosen to run for her charity. Postpartum psychosis is a rare and serious mental illness that my wife had suddenly developed just before our daughter was born. I told Fliss my wife had used the charity’s peer support network during her recovery. She said the charity hosted a similar service for partners and gave me the contact details for Simon, who organised it.

I had resisted speaking to anyone about my experience of my wife’s illness previously. After all, it was she who had been put through it, not me. I am also an introvert and, perhaps like a lot of men, prefer to deal with things myself than ask for help. A big reason why I wanted to run again was to try and control my rising daily anxiety.

But Fliss was friendly and her introduction to Simon made speaking to someone seem less scary. So, I chatted to some of the other partners through APP’s network. While our experiences varied, I was relieved to hear them echo a lot of my thoughts over the previous months and I felt less alone.

By race day, my fellow APP fundraisers and I had trained hard and were ready to take on the half marathon distance. We were less prepared for the north east weather and briefly regretted our decision to take part when we stood in the pouring rain on the start line.

But as soon as we set off, the adrenaline of taking part in such a massive fundraising event kicked in. 60,000 people of all ages and abilities were running and thousands more braved the elements to cheer us on. Hearing a total stranger call your name when your joints are aching with lactic acid is one of the best pick-me-ups going.

One odd thing I saw was these tunnels every few miles that sprayed water on you as you ran through them. A year earlier, there had been a heatwave, so a refreshing shower might have been welcome. But running in the heavy rain, as I was, I could not see why so many people were still using them.

The final mile along the South Shields coastline was particularly spectacular. The rain had eased off at this point, you could smell the sea air and the packed crowd’s applause carried you to the finish.

When you cross the line, you wonder what to do next for a moment as the realisation of your achievement sinks in. All the early morning starts, protein shakes, injury concerns and ice baths finally put to one side. It doesn’t matter what happens now because you’ve done it.

I grabbed my medal and free refreshments and stood looking at the beach as I waited for my wife and our friend to find me. Then the adrenaline wore off and I was freezing cold so I headed for a busy tent where a band called the Gatecrashers were warming up.

As I struggled to get phone signal among the crowd, a man started talking to me. I thought it was just an affable Geordie at first but he explained that he had previously run for APP as his wife had also had postpartum psychosis. We chatted for a few minutes about our experiences and shook hands. It felt nice to be part of a small community in the middle of a much larger group of fundraisers.

My wife thankfully arrived with my jacket and we soaked up the atmosphere with my fellow APP runners. We grabbed a beer and some food before braving the crammed metro train back to where we were staying.

Rob's sister in law Philippa, with her boyfriend Owen and another of our GNR team, Tim, in the centre.

The best thing was that the three of us had more than tripled our fundraising targets. Thanks to many surprisingly generous donations, we raised over £2,300 plus gift aid.

I had signed up initially to raise money to support new mothers like my wife but had become an APP beneficiary myself along the way.

Perhaps just as important, I was given two shiny medals that can keep our baby daughter entertained for a good few minutes.'

If you feel inspired to take on a challenge for APP like Rob, check out our events page here or email Fliss for more info.

2 December 2024

Our 2024 festive appeal

Our festive appeal this year is focused on raising funds to develop new specialist resources for those struggling with legal and rights-based issues after postpartum psychosis (PP).

Whilst in recovery from PP, some women face legal, financial or rights-based issues. These issues can cause frustration, distress, injustice and hamper recovery. In our 2023 peer support survey, respondents shared some of the difficulties they've experienced:

Nearly half (49%) faced issues around returning to work.
Over a third (36%) had difficulties with reinstatement of their full driving licence.
31% had trouble accessing insurance.
28% had problems accessing benefits entitlements.
Some reported poor understanding of PP in family or criminal courts.

Your donation could help us develop a series of information leaflets covering the most common issues women and families face; increase awareness to help remove stigma and ensure better understanding; and develop a support and signposting service.

Our APP Peer Support service already changes and saves lives. Those we support tell us there's a real need for this kind of specialist information. It would make such a practical difference to so many women and families.

Please donate now to help us do more.

Hannah struggled to get her full driving licence back for several years after recovering from PP.

She initially surrendered her driving licence, then had temporary licences for the following four years, even after she was fully recovered and discharged from her mental health team. Hannah needed a licence for her job, and because she lives in a rural area. Each time her temporary licence expired, she had to complete extensive paperwork and make numerous calls to the DVLA.

She says: 'In the early days, I didn't have the confidence to challenge it. There was never any issue with my driving and it hadn't been something that medication or my recovery process had impacted. I've driven since I was 17 and really value this as part of my independence and identity. Plus, living in a rural area meant being prevented from driving made me feel even more isolated.'

After more than five years of back and forth with the DVLA, she finally got her full licence back.

I felt angry and discriminated against for having a limited licence due to something that had happened five years ago. On one of my calls to the DVLA I asked them if they knew what they were doing and if they knew anything about the illness I had experienced - they said they didn't and were awaiting medical sign-off and again told me there was a backlog. I also asked my GP who said they had no issue with me driving, so the delay was with the DVLA.

My experience shows that the DVLA and other agencies should have a knowledge of PP and what this means. There are definitely worse drivers on the road than me and at that stage, five years after PP, it seemed pretty ridiculous!

PP is not like other mental health diagnoses either and the main risk is around having a baby. I would urge everyone to support our work to educate other statutory bodies about what PP is and what it isn't so this doesn't happen to other people.

Like many women affected by PP, Hannah has also experienced issues getting insurance:

I still have an exclusion on my life insurance for anything related to mental health - at the last renewal of our policy, the company were unable to provide a decent level of cover due to the small number of psychiatrist appointments I had within the last 10 years, which included when I had sought proactive support when having my youngest child and remained well. It's really unfair.'

Driving licences and insurance are just two of the issues that can cause problems for some women in recovery. Others tell us they've had problems with benefits entitlements, maternal rights, money advice, and returning to work.

Struggles like these can cause additional stress and anxiety, and hinder recovery. For those with little family support, who have English as a second language or who lack the confidence or knowledge of how to challenge it can be even more difficult.

Our Big Give match funding campaign closed on 10th December but you can still donate here and help us continue to support women now and in the future.

Thank you.

10 October 2024

Your donation, doubled!

This World Mental Health Day, 10th October 2024, we're on a mission to support even more women and families affected by postpartum psychosis, and we'd love you to help us. Between midday on 10th October and midday on 17th October, we're aiming to raise £5,000.

Donate now through our Big Give Women & Girls campaign page , and your donation will be doubled, at no additional cost to you, thanks to match funding from the Big Give.

Every donation we receive will be worth twice as much – if you donate £5, APP will receive £10, if you donate £25, we'll receive £50, and so on.

Double the donation means double the impact.

Our target of £5,000 could help us significantly increase our offer of help and support for families affected by postpartum psychosis (PP) - a treatable medical emergency that affects around 1400 women in the UK each year.

Being diagnosed with a severe mental illness like PP is frightening and shocking for the woman and those around her. With the right treatment, nearly all women make a full recovery, but the journey can be long, have ups and downs and can feel very isolating. APP peer supporters are there for everyone affected by PP, whether the experience was recent or many years ago. By donating today, you can help us be there for everyone who needs us, for as long as they need us.

Will you donate today and get your donation doubled?

The peer support programme has helped me immensely. I regularly email a peer supporter and we share a lot about our own experiences.
Knowing that someone further along on their PP journey is there with advice and support has been a real help for my recovery.

Help us be there for even more women and families.

Donate now through our Big Give Women & Girls Campaign and your donation will be doubled, at no additional cost to you.

Thank you for your support.

9 October 2024

MBU nurses run for APP!

Three perinatal mental health nurses are taking on the Manchester Half Marathon for APP this weekend.

Amy, Megan and Sophie all work supporting new mums being treated at Ribblemere Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in Lancashire. Over the last few months they've been training so hard for the half marathon and they're now looking forward to taking their places on the start line in Manchester this Sunday. They've been posting updates on their training on TikTok - and you can follow them @therunningmhnurses

All three say they wanted to do this for APP because in their work they see the impact that postpartum psychosis has on mums and families:

We wanted to run for APP because we see daily the impact that a life changing diagnosis has on our ladies. It's heartbreaking and can be such a lonely time for ladies and families. APP supports them during this time and it really can be life saving support.

We see the resilience and strength our ladies and families have when it comes to postpartum psychosis and we just wanted to do something small in support of all our ladies who have experienced/are experiencing postpartum psychosis.

We see them, we are here for them and we are so proud of them. We have the best job in the world.

APP Peer Support Facilitator Jocelyn Ellams works with Amy, Megan and Sophie as part of our service providing support and information to families at Ribblemere. Jocelyn says: 'I’ve seen the impact Amy, Meg and Sophie have. They are kind, caring and empathetic and an amazing source of support for the mums on the ward. This understanding is only highlighted by the fact they are fundraising for us!'

The nurses have already raised an incredible amount but they would love any more support to help them get to the finish line on the big day. You can add your support here.

Good luck to our Ribblemere runners!
We hope you have a fantastic day. Thank you so much for your support.

2 October 2024

Sam & Adam share their story

This Sunday, dad of two Adam is taking on an epic challenge - the Suffolk Whole Hog muddy obstacle course - made up of 30 obstacles round a very muddy five mile course.

Adam has chosen to do this to raise funds for and awareness of APP because his wife Sam was diagnosed with PP after the birth of their first son back in 2017.

Here, Sam shares her experience of her illness in her own words:

'I quickly became severely unwell, experiencing hallucinations, paranoia and terrifying intrusive thoughts. Just 15 days after giving birth I was sectioned under the mental health act and alongside my newborn I was placed in a Mother and Baby Unit 65 miles away from our home. During this time I was looked after by some amazing people and now have a rainbow tattoo on my ankle in honour of the people that saved me.

At the MBU I finally felt safe. Although still so unwell I was slowly able to recover with the help of some wonderful people who I will never forget.

I have since gone on to have our second son in 2020, thankfully with no repercussions. To anyone who is experiencing PP please believe you will get there. You may be a different version of yourself from before but that's OK. Put your trust in those that are helping you get better and allow yourself time. It is a traumatic experience that will never leave you but it doesn't have to define you.'

Thank you Sam for sharing your story with us, and thank you Adam for taking on the Whole Hog challenge for APP. We're looking forward to seeing the photos!

If you'd like to support Adam's fundraising, you can visit his JustGiving page here.

17 September 2024

Chris kicks off a new season of awareness raising

APP super supporter Chris is back for another season of raising awareness of APP through attending football matches across the UK.

Since 2023, Chris has been going to football matches at grounds around and closest to the 22 Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) in the UK. He has a specially made purple APP football shirt that he wears for every match and does his best to get a mention in the matchday programme each time.

This season he's kicked off with a match at Crystal Palace FC. Chris reports back for us here:

'Match #6 complete! Football season is officially back!

On Saturday 14th September 2024 I attended my 6th match of my football awareness tour with my dad Gary! We went to see Crystal Palace draw 2-2 at home against Leicester at Selhurst Park.

After a disappointing first half, The Eagles recovered from two nil down to secure a draw. The exciting second half and passionate home crowd, celebrating 100 years at Selhurst Park, made for a brilliant experience!

I have to say a special thank you to my fellow PP dad who helped get us these tickets. I am so so grateful! This was a surprise fixture at this stage of my awareness tour, and a day neither my dad or I will forget.

Despite very high demand I was able to get an entry about my challenge, postpartum psychosis and the MBUs in the match day programme!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to visit the local South London and Maudsley MBU in person on this occasion. But I did manage to speak to the Ward Manager and another member of staff before my trip, to thank them for all the amazing work they do.'

UPDATE 26th October 2024

Chris's latest trip was to Bolton last weekend, another successful day - he's reported back on it for us here:

'Match #7 complete!

Yesterday, Saturday 26th October 2024, I attended my 7th match of my football awareness tour with my good friend Ross. We went to see Bolton beat Peterborough 1-0 at home thanks to a dramatic stoppage time winner.

I have to be honest and say we were hoping for a goal fest given the two clubs form, but it was certainly an entertaining finish!

Bolton put an amazing entry in their matchday programme about my challenge, postpartum psychosis and the MBUs. It was lovely!

Technically I have already attended a football match close to the Chorley Ribblemere MBU, seeing Accrington Stanley last October (2023), and also visiting the MBU in person this March (2024).

But Bolton is less than 10 miles away from the MBU. And I know Ross has been eagerly waiting to join in on this tour and help me in raising awareness for this cause. So it was a great day out!

Before the game we were lucky enough to meet up with Kieran Anders from Dad Matters. It was great to be able to meet Kieran in person, fresh with a new trim having just chopped off his hair for The Little Princess Trust and Home-Start HOST!

In a rare turn of events for this awareness tour, the home team won! So Kieran said I am welcome to come back again!'

UPDATE 12th November 2024

Next stop on Chris's tour took him to Derby:

'On Saturday 9th November 2024 I attended my 8th match of my football awareness tour with my good friend Ed!

We went to see Derby draw 1-1 against Plymouth Argyle at home at Pride Park.

The highlights of the game had to be the opening goal, a bicycle kick from Derby, and an outrageous Derby strike from the halfway line that the Plymouth goalie just clawed away.

On this occasion I wasn't able to get an entry in the matchday programme...it appears Derby don't do public notifications in their programmes... But I do have to say a massive thank you to the club! They were really interested in our experience and my awareness tour, and arranged for us to have pitch side photographs with five Derby players before the match.

I knew that we were going to have pre-match photographs, but I didn't know that we would be walking down the tunnel and having the photographs with the players! So, this was another incredible and unexpected experience on this journey!

The Pride Park stadium is less than 5 miles from the Beeches MBU. And we actually got to visit this MBU on this trip. It was really nice to be able to meet the wonderful Jo and Becky and other members of staff at the Beeches MBU on this trip, to talk about our experience and the important work they do and to see how another MBU differs. And it is really promising to hear that there is work being done for, and more consideration being given to, our experiences as partners as well.'

UPDATE 8th January 2025

For his first match of the new year, Chris headed to Watford on the 4th January.

'I have been to my 9th match of my tour today with my dad Gary. We went to see Watford lose 2-1 against promotion chasing Sheffield United at home at Vicarage Road.

The match marked the eighth anniversary of club legend Graham Taylor's passing with the 'Graham Taylor Matchday'.

I have to say this was the coldest match I have been to on this challenge so far! It was very cold!

And I really do seem to be a curse to the home teams!

Watford put a really nice entry in their matchday programme about my challenge, Postpartum Psychosis and the MBUs. They even included my Instagram account in the entry to help spread awareness.

I did call the local Hertfordshire Thumbswood MBU before my trip, but unfortunately didn't get to visit in person on this occasion. '

You can follow Chris's awareness raising adventures via his Instagram here.

If you're a dad or co-parent that would like to meet and talk with others whose partners have experienced PP, join our virtual Dads and Co-parents peer support social / cafe group - 8-9pm, every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Zoom joining link: bit.ly/PARTNERMEET. Or, email Simon: simon@app-network.org

7 September 2024

APP's 2025 Great North Run Team

It's the one of the biggest and most well know half marathons in the world - the Great North Run - and we're so excited to have FIVE runners taking part for APP this year:

Tim in his purple APP top at his local York Parkrun

Tim

Tim is running for APP because of the work we do campaigning for more Mother & Baby Units (MBU).

Tim's family have first hand experience of not being able to access a local MBU. When his wife was diagnosed with PP after the birth of their second child, there was no bed available at their nearest MBU, meaning she had to be treated some way from their family home.
Tim says 'Nine years on and with a healthy family, we would like to give something back to enable help to be made available for other families in a similar situation.

Add your support for Tim here.

Mikyla

Mikyla is taking on her first half marathon and we couldn't be more grateful that she has chosen to do this for APP.

She says: 'I am dedicating my first ever half-marathon to new mums and APP as my charity. I want to show solidarity to all new mums and their families, and to help bring support to the new mums who most need it.'

Support Mikyla here.

Rob

Rob has chosen to take on the Great North Run for APP this year as 'it is a cause close to my heart and I wanted to support the great work that APP does.'
Thank you Rob and good luck!

Add your support for Rob here.

Philippa & Owen

Running together and inspired to do so to support brother in law Rob and his family, Philippa and Owen have been training hard and are excited to take on the Great North Run for the first time!

Add your support for Philippa and Owen here.

A huge thank you to all of our runners, and to everyone who has supported them with their training, and through donations.

Look out for them in their purple APP tops on the TV coverage and do give them an extra cheer if you're going to be there in person this weekend.