Catherine ran the Brighton Marathon!

Three cheers for Catherine who successfully ran the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 15th April, in aid of APP and managed to smashed her fundraising target of £1,000!

Catherine said: 
“I am happy to say that I managed to recover reasonably quickly. Luckily the weather was much more manageable than had I run London today, so I am very thankful for that! I completed the race in 4:28, which I was happy with since I was aiming for below 4:30.“

APP say a very big Thank You to Catherine, what a fantastic and inspiring achievement!

You can still donate to Catherine’s Just Giving page here. 

Nicholas completed the Great Welsh Marathon!

A big Thank You to Nicholas who successfully completed the Great Welsh Marathon on Sunday, 15th April, in aid of APP! Nicholas bravely battled the incessant wet and windy Welsh weather on the day, and amazingly achieved a PB!

Nicholas said:
“I really pushed it on the day to try and beat certain time…and got a PB! (although didn’t get under 4 hours). The weather was not good on the day – windy and rainy – wind was hard running in to! Otherwise all went well and really enjoyed it in a crazy way….nice course and people involved were great – marshals and runners. So far total for APP raised is around £230. I hope this may go up with donations post run “

 You can still support Nicholas via his Just Giving page here.

A very big and heartfelt Thank you to Nicholas from us all at APP!

Rachel to run the Royal Parks Half!

APP say a BIG Thank You to Rachel who will be running in this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon, taking place on Sunday 14th October, in aid of APP! This stunning central London Half Marathon, takes in some of the capital’s world – famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

Rachel is running in aid of APP after suffering with PP in 2017, she says:

“On Christmas Day 2016 we welcomed our little boy into the world. We were over the moon and brought him home on Boxing Day feeling daunted, scared but so so proud!

We didn’t know that just two days later I would be readmitted to hospital with a condition none of us had ever heard of before, Postpartum Psychosis….After a short stay in a mother and baby unit 50 miles from home I was discharged and have received support from a brilliant charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis.

I’m running the royal parks half marathon to raise much needed funds for APP so that no women or families have to face this misunderstood condition alone. The charity has supported my family and me hugely throughout my recovery. And quite honestly I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

Please visit Rachel’s Just Giving page here and donate what you can – thank you.

Thanks so much to Rachel for taking on this challenge in aid of APP, and we wish you all the very best with your training!

Megan is jumping out of a plane for APP!

Three cheers for Megan who has bravely volunteered to jump out of a plane in aid of APP!

Megan says: 
“I will be skydiving in Bridlington for Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) on Saturday the 2nd of June. I have chosen this date to mark my nephew, Ethan’s, 1st birthday and a year since my sister suffered with Postpartum Psychosis (PP). PP occurs around the time of birth and involves the sufferer experiencing serious hallucinations and/or delusions. Hayley was sectioned under the mental health act following the birth of Ethan due to the severity of this illness. She was lucky enough to be given a place in a Mother and Baby Unit in Leeds where she could be looked after by a psychiatric team whilst remaining with Ethan. They were accompanied 24 hours a day to ensure their safety and it is charities like APP that help campaign for these wonderful services. Hayley has since benefited from other APP services such as the use of other women’s stories to help process what has happened to her. Without this support Hayley wouldn’t have made the progress she has made in such a short space of time. As a family also recovering from this traumatic time we have benefited from the resources APP provide.

The purpose of this skydive is not only to raise money for this important charity but to raise awareness of this serious illness. With more recognition of PP more women may be prevented from suffering and given the care they need earlier on.

We appreciate any donation you can make and can’t thank you enough for your support. Surely it’s at least worth a donation just to see me throw myself out of a plane?

Thank you!
Megan, Hayley and Family x“

Please visit Megan’s Just Giving page here and donate what you can.

A very BIG THANK YOU to Megan for jump-starting our Big APP Skydiving year – we’ll be busy cheering her on from the ground! 

The BIG APP SKYDIVE 2018!

Would you like to enjoy the exhilarating and unforgettable feeling of a skydive – flying through the clouds from over 10,000 ft at up to 120 mph?

If you are looking for the experience of a lifetime, we would be delighted if you would like to take on a sponsored freefall parachute jump in aid of APP, and if you raise enough sponsorship, you can jump for free!

We have teamed up with Skyline, a professional charity fundraising events organiser, to offer APP’s supporters this amazing experience of flying through the clouds! 

You will be strapped to your qualified British Parachute Association tandem instructor who does all the hard work for you, leaving you to enjoy the invigorating feeling of freefalling before gliding to the ground!  (Or, if you’re more experienced you can try Static Line where you will complete a solo jump from 3,000ft, with your parachute pulled automatically as you leave the aircraft, or the Accelerated Free Fall, with the thrill of skydiving solo from up to 12,000 ft.)

As a small charity, your energy is vital to ensure we can keep operating our information and peer support services. Your help and fundraising will make a big difference to our small charity. Don’t forget, if you raise the minimum amount of sponsorship you will get to jump for free!

You can jump from any one of over twenty BPA approved airfields across the UK and no experience is necessary as you will be given training before your jump.

This incredible challenge will give you the biggest adrenaline rush you could ever imagine and you soar through the air knowing that you have helped raise invaluable funds for APP.

Watch Skyline’s exhilarating video of a Tandem Jump to get a feel for what it might be like for you, below:

So what are you waiting for?!

Book now to experience the challenge of a lifetime!

Or, contact us  to find out more!

Fantastic Xmas Mince Pie Ride!

Warm thanks to Meynell Valley Hunters Triathlon Club for, once again, organising a very successful event in Rosliston village hall in aid of APP and Air Ambulance on Sunday 17 December 2017.

Sunday morning cyclists were invited -throughout the local areas – to tuck into homemade mince pies, cakes and coffee and were asked to donate for our charities.  A total of £350 was raised in the space of less than 2 hours!

Warm thanks go to Robin Barber for organising such a well attended initiative and to all the key women in the club who baked and served teas: Sarah, Sylvia, Kathryn, Sam and Jenny. Thanks also to Amy-Jo and James who were the resident photographers and journalists…..as well as being very capable bakers!

All in all such a lovely way to finish the year.  Read more about the event here.

Thank-you MVH for your consistent support of APP.

Bethany Jones is running every day in January!

Bethany Jones has decided to run every…single…day…in January in aid of APP! What a brilliant challenge to welcome in the New Year, thank you Bethany!

Bethany suffered with Postpartum Psychosis in 2016 and found APP along the way, she says: 
‘Please give a few pounds to this very worthy cause. Action for Postpartum Psychosis have done so much for me and given me peer support, they rely on donations and are invaluable for the 1 in 1000 who are unlucky to suffer. Thanks for reading everyone onwards and upwards x Beth‘

You can read more of Bethany’s story on her Just Giving page here  and also donate as well!

A big thank you to Bethany for undertaking a tremendous challenge, we hope the weather holds up and wish you all the best for the second half of the month!

APP Art Auction 2017

APP presents the inaugural online Christmas Art Auction 2017 to help raise funds for APP!

The online Art Auction features 12 fantastic professional artists (with 18 artworks available to bid on) with 100% of money generated from sales being generously donated to APP.

All pieces are featured in our Online Brochure and are listed on eBay for auction style bidding; the auction opens on Saturday 2nd December, and closes on Tuesday 12th December from 7.30pm onward – view the eBay listings here (some bargains to be had!)

APP Director, Dr Jess Heron, says:
“Thank you for supporting APP’s first Art Auction and helping us raise funds for APP. We’d love you to share the brochure far and wide with your friends and colleagues to generate some interest in the donating artists. APP supports women and families who have been affected by Postpartum Psychosis, which is a devastating and traumatic illness that affects 1-2 in every 1000 new mums. With the right care women do recover: our amazing and committed volunteers are evidence of this. Buy some art for a loved one this Christmas, and help our volunteers support someone else’s loved one.”

A very big and important Thank You to the extremely generous artists who have donated their work to the APP Art Auction – we couldn’t do this without you.

To view or download the full Art Auction 2017 PDF Brochure Click Here (or on the image below) for full information about the artists and all the artworks up for auction, including links to their listings on eBay.

And, to view all the artworks on eBay click here.

Happy bidding everyone! #APPArtAuction

Getting ready for #GivingTuesday!

APP is gearing up for this year’s #givingtuesday taking place on Tuesday 28th November! Calling on all our amazing APP supporters to do something good next Tuesday to raise much  needed funds for APP… 

#givingtuesday is the day to do good stuff for charity and is a growing global movement now spanning five continents. But the heart of #GivingTuesday is community action. The UK joined the movement in May 2014. Since then, the day has gone on to become one of Britain’s biggest days for charities, raising millions of pounds for good causes.

There are lots of fun activities you can do, such as:

• host a bake sale with friends, at home or in the workplace
• do a sponsored run, jog or even just a walk around your local area
• organise a coffee morning with your very own Bake Off!
• or why not take this as a perfect opportunity to get rid of unwanted clothes and bric-a-brac and have your own garage sale, or, get together with friends to host a jumble sale!  
• and for lots of other ideas visit the #givingtuesday website 

Or…you can donate directly via the APP CAF #givingtuesday campaign via here or by clicking on the donate button below:

 A donation of just £5 enables us to send a copy of each of our 3 Insider Guides to a woman experiencing Postpartum Psychosis, her partner or family, to provide vital information and signposting to support.

Get involved and let us know what you are doing for #givingtuesday or email us for more information. Thanks!

Helping Hands for APP at Christmas charity fair!

APP, supported by some of the women from “Helping Hands” of Swadlincote , manned 2 stalls at a charity Xmas fair on Saturday 11th November in Rosliston village hall. Piles of bargains were there to be grabbed including APP charity cards. Delicious lunches were served by Helping Hands’ friends with proceeds from these going to other charities.

Warm thanks go to all the ladies from Helping Hands – especially to “Mrs Motivator”- Angela and to Janet for all the hard work. Also: to all of APP’s steadfast friends who managed, yet again, to donate enough items for further sales.

A special thanks go to our little gofers on the day: Anna and Robert Tiffney who were great fun and endlessly helpful to all. (Blowing up APP ‘s purple balloons does get tedious after a while !)

Sue Blamire, APP’s Treasurer, did a great job with Adrian on the day, and managed to bank just over £300 for APP’s funds. A wonderful sum in a very short time and for just 2 charity stalls! Thank you all. 

Heather
Volunteer Team

Holly runs the Thames Meander!

Great news as Holly has completed her 9th (yes, ninth!) marathon in aid of APP! Holly is taking on the amazing challenge of running 12 marathons in just 12 months and now has only 3 marathons left to run…

On Saturday 4th November Holly ran her 9th marathon, the Thames Meander, with a friend she met there last year. She said:

Fundraising evening at Royal College of Psychiatrists!

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have organised a fantastic fundraising evening in aid of APP, taking place on Wednesday 15th November at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 21 Prescot Street, London, E1 8BB.

Everybody is welcome to attend the event but please book your tickets in advance! Click here for the ticket link.

The event starts at 6.30pm and you can ’Enjoy a recital from Internationally renowned concert pianist Waka Hasegawa and a performance from dance movement psychotherapist, Gerry Harrison. The evening includes buffet supper and drinks with £10 of each ticket sale donated to APP. During the event there will be additional opportunities to support APP.’

Find out more and book your tickets here.

Jocelyn visits Soroptimist International

APP were delighted to be asked to speak to club members at the Cannock & District division of Soroptimist International, after President, Val Jones, put forward APP as one of their charities to highlight for the year. Jocelyn Ellams attended their meeting on 24th October in Cannock and spoke about her lived experience of PP to the members.

They said:
‘Action on Postpartum Psychosis [APP] is one of the charities being highlighted this year by President Val Jones, Cannock Soroptimists. It is a small and little known charity; in fact, prior to President Val naming it only 3 members of the club had ever heard of it! 

Jocelyn…gave a most interesting, emotional and enlightening presentation to club members [as] she bravely told us her story, explaining thoughts that she had at the time which in one sense she knew could not be true though she could not control them. She made it possible for us all to have some understanding of the dreadful experiences she had at that time – and also proved she has completely recovered. 

Soroptimist Kate Young hosted Joss and thanked her for giving up her time and, more importantly, for her honesty in telling us about how she was affected. She gave Joss a donation towards the work of APP from SI Cannock and told her that at the end of President Val’s year there would be a further donation.’

Read their full press release here.

Thanks very much to Kate Young and all at the Cannock & District Soroptimist International club!

You can find out more information about Cannock Soroptimists at www.sigbi.org/cannock-and-district or on their Facebook page 

Holly completes her 8th marathon!

Congratulations to Holly who has just completed her 8th marathon in Bournemouth on 8th October with a PB (personal best)! Holly now only has 4 marathons left to run in her huge challenge of completing 12 marathons in 12 months, we are all very impressed!

Holly says:
‘I ran the Bournemouth marathon on the 8th of October, it was a special one for me as it’s where my sister Beth went for her inpatient stay at the mother and baby unit. There were good memories from her time there that really spurred me on and I managed to finish with a personal best of 5hrs 27mins.

The course itself was beautiful along the coastline and it was very well organised with lots of water and energy gel stops. Imogen, my 4 year old, even got to cross the line with me- which she loved!

Only 4 to go now! The next one is a local area one with my work mates on 31st October. Followed by 2 marathons on the Thames path at the beginning of November.’

We wish Holly all the best for her 9th marathon on 31st October!

Please support her amazing challenge and donate via her Just Giving page here.

Fundraising at Freshers Week & Kindness in Midwifery conference

The University of Bradford Midwifery Society kick-started their busy fundraising year for APP in style with Freshers Week last month where they signed up lots of new members and donated % from each membership to APP – many thanks! 

Looks like they had lots of fun recruiting new members to the society too!

They are now very busy organising a conference with midwife, Ellie Durant called  ‘The kindness conference: Getting positive midwifery cultures to flourish‘ which is taking place on 11th November 2017. The Kindness Conference is being jointly planned and hosted by UoB Midwifery Society and any current or aspiring midwives should definitely get this in the diary!

They say:
‘This conference is likely to be different from others you’ve attended. We’re not afraid of digging into the hard issues and talking about the realities of midwifery culture right now.

But we’ll also be sharing some of the most inspiring, insightful and clear ideas for improving midwifery culture as well as tools and techniques that you can use to support yourself in practice right now. We want you to feel supported in your work because you’ve learnt from the best at the conference.’ Read more on their Facebook event page here.

Tickets are on sale now with discounted £5 tickets available for University of Bradford students and staff but these are strictly limited, with all the money being donated to APP! Please click here find out more about the event and to purchase tickets.

There will be a number of stalls on the day including our own APP stall and we look forward to meeting everyone there on the day! 

In the run up to the conference, Ellie is also doing a series of blog posts entitled 30 days of Kindness in Midwifery’ which you can check out on her website here to understand more about some of the themes which will be covered at the conference.

Fun Day event at The Barberry MBU!

A lot of fun was had at The Barberry Centre Mother & Baby Unit’s annual FUN DAY event on Sunday 3rd September! Arts and crafts, bouncy castle, face-painting, tea parties and lots more took over the the Rowheath Pavillion in Birmingham for the afternoon.

This year’s theme was Alice in Wonderland (spot the Cheshire cat!) and by the looks of it everyone had a great day!

 APP were delighted to have a stall at the Fun Day event and it was great to meet everyone and join in the fun – many thanks to our volunteer Katy as well!

Jill runs the Royal Parks!

Three cheers for Jill who successfully completed the Royal Parks half marathon on Sunday 8th October!  Jill lucked out on the weather with a fantastically sunny day on Sunday alongside the other 16,000 runners taking part, running through four of London’s eight Royal Parks including Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and finishing at Kensington Gardens. 

Jill said: ‘Legs are a bit sore today but not as bad as I expected! Thanks for all the support and for all the work you’re doing with APP – I’m very privileged to have been able to play a small part!’

You can still donate via Jill’s Virgin Money Giving page here - and a very big thank you to Jill!

We did it!

Congratulations to Rik & Hannah who successfully completed the Barns Green Half Marathon on 24th September!

They said:

‘Thanks to all of you who have supported us and donated to this fabulous charity. We did it! It was a hot, hilly, lovely day with lots of other great charity runners we met along the way. Our official chip finish times were 2.11 and 1.59 – so very happy with that! So stiff I am struggling to get down stairs or walk in a straight line today!’

The donations are still coming in on their Just Giving site, please do donate what you can.

Hannah got in touch after the event and said:

‘It’s by far the furthest I have run since having children and I still ache today! We did it in a very respectable 2.11 and 1.59 ( Rik went ahead for the second half and I got chatting to some wonderful fundraisers for another great mental health charity ‘ young minds’ )

Fundraising for App and Running in the App vest and talking to people about my experience was a really big thing for me and the whole event was very emotional. Having PP really tested Rik’s and mine relationship and ultimately made it stronger – also I experienced PTSD after my PP hospital admission and it took a long time for me to really own the experience of having had Postpartum Psychosis and understand that it was not my fault. So running in a vest and talking to people about it was a real achievement in itself ( perhaps more so than the distance! )’

What a great achievement for Hannah & Rik. Thank you both so much for supporting APP!

Gill completes the Great North Run!

A very BIG THANK YOU to Gill Wood for successfully completing the Great North Run on 10th September, in aid of APP!

Gill says:
‘I have just about recovered now, I’ve been on a couple of short runs to get my legs moving again! I’m amazed at how generous everyone has been and I hope that the sponsorship really helps APP.’

We are so grateful to Gill and to everyone who donated and supported her along the way – and you can still donate via her Just Giving page here.

…and if you’re interested running the Great North Run next year (9 Sept 2018) then why not sign up to their reminder service and they’ll send you an email as soon as the ballot opens!

Thank you to the fundraisers of Derby!

Warm thanks go to all those who donated items for a recent quiz & pop-up shop at The Leopard in Tutbury, also to the ladies at Helping Hands from Swadlincote who utilised all the remaining pop-up shop items at another table top sale for APP and finally to Alex and Heather Heron who hosted an annual barbeque (with blow up assault course!) for MVH Triathlon club at “Hoon Ridge” at the end of August.

Heather said: 

“Great evening at Hoon Ridge even though the weather forced folks inside for some of the time. That said, it did not daunt those competitive types who wanted to win the massive, blue blow-up assault course race.”

The combined total raised for APP was £720. 

Wonderful support from all of our APP friends! Thank you so much.

Two marathon runners on the same day!

APP have two fantastic supporters who are running two rather different marathon events in aid of APP, which are both taking place on the very same day – Sunday 15th April 2018! 

Catherine Labourn will be running the Brighton Marathon, she says:

‘Having supported the charity by providing administrative assistance a few hours a week during my final year at University, I have observed first hand the incredible work of the charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP.) Since then, I have known that my first marathon will be in aid of this important cause…My aim is to raise £1000 to help APP continue their fantastic and vital work, whilst improving awareness for the charity at the same time.’

Please support Catherine’s fundraising and visit her Just Giving page here.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Grindlay is taking on the Great Welsh Marathon, which is also (coincidentally!) taking place on the exact same day, Sunday 15th April! He says:

‘I have chosen to run my first Marathon.  It was only in the last 12 months I started running with any intent and have managed to complete my first half marathon back in June 2017.  So I hope I now have plenty of time to make the step up to a full Marathon….This will be a massive challenge for me to complete a Marathon as a lot of you know I do like my food and it is already proven to be a tough mental challenge for me!’

Please donate what you can, and support Nicholas on his Just Giving page here.

A very BIG Thank-You to both Nicholas and Catherine for undertaking their marathon challenges in aid of APP, we are very grateful for your support!

6 down, 6 to go - Holly reaches half-way!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Holly Haywood who has reached the half way point in her challenge of completing 12 marathons in 12 months in aid of APP!

Holly bravely battled the heat and sunshine in August to complete her fifth and sixth marathons, and was joined by some of her colleagues to help her and keep her spirits up along the way. Holly says:

‘The fifth marathon was on 1st August with my work mates. The route was much better, completing an out and back route. Really enjoying being closer to the half way challenge point!! The weather was hot, which is bad in the running world, feeling more drained and takes more of your energy to keep going. Have to thank my amazing friends Dave and Charlotte for again running with me step for step and keeping the ‘good chat’ along the way, despite my moments when I completely ignore them because I need every cell in my body to just focus on keeping going!!’

Holly then took on her sixth marathon on 27th August in Woldingham, she said:

‘It was a really tough run on Sunday though. 28 degrees the high and the route was not very shady. I managed to complete the half marathon as started feeling the effects of the sun. The route started from Woldingham school in Caterham and did a lap of the North Downs way. It was a trail run with lots of steep inclines. Not for the faint hearted!! 4 hours later I completed the half and was pleased to have some water and shade to recover!’

We can’t thank Holly enough for taking on this enormous challenge in aid of APP, especially battling through the heat in order to reach her half-way point, what an achievement already! 

Please donate what you can to support Holly’s amazing challenge via her Just Giving page here.

Gill Wood to run the Great North Run!

A big thank you to Gill Wood who is taking on the challenge of the Great North Run,  the largest half marathon in the world,  on 10th September in aid of APP!

Gill says :
‘Nearly a year ago to the day I was discharged from a mum and baby unit in Morpeth with baby Jack. I’d been there since he was 2 weeks old. We always knew there was a chance I’d get poorly as I unexpectedly became very poorly with postpartum (after birth) psychosis after we had Megan 12 years ago, hence us waiting so long for Jack! 

Before Megan I knew nothing about postpartum psychosis, I had never been in a psychiatric unit before, or even really heard about psychosis. I was already a mum to Amy, I was working, my life was very quiet. 

The psychosis started when Megan was 8 days old, it is one of the most terrifying things I’d ever experienced and I ended up on a mixed psychiatric ward. I was 23, poorly with something the ward staff knew very little about.

This is why APP (Action on Postpartum Psychosis) is so important. They work tirelessly to support mums like me and raise awareness of an illness that can happen to anyone. They provided me with information on pregnancy, medications etc as well as producing leaflets for partners, who can sometimes feel completely alone watching the mother of their child become so poorly. 

Whilst pregnant with Jack I was also given a peer support worker who became a rock. I could always email and knew she’d be there. I was quite poorly during my pregnancy as I’d lowered my bipolar medication  (there’s a strong link between psychosis after birth and bipolar) but my peer worker supported me all the way. Especially after Jack was born, when unfortunately I became poorly again.

As you probably know I love running, the freedom of running has helped my mental health and I don’t know where I’d be without it. I started again 3 weeks after Jack was born and never looked back. I want to give something back to APP as they are a small charity but their work is vital. 

One thing I have learnt is post natal illness does not discriminate and charities such as APP are essential in supporting families at what should be the happiest time of their lives. 

I appreciate it’s the summer holidays so if you’re anything like us we are are waiting for payday! But any amount you can give would be much appreciated! Thank you so much.

Love Gill xxxxx’

Please support Gill in her Great North Run, you can donate via her Just Giving page here.

A big thank you to Gill, and wishing you the very best of luck for 10th September!

APP Charity of the Year for Bradford Midwifery Society 2017-18!

APP are delighted to announce that we have been chosen to be University of Bradford Midwifery Society’s Charity of the Year for 2017-18!

The University of Bradford Midwifery Society was established to support and unite midwifery students and professionals, and create a dynamic and energetic forum for shared learning and development. They say: ‘The impact of the society continues to grow momentum, creating a global village that empowers its individuals. This strength and passion leads to greater advocacy for women; best practice and informed choice; and committed and compassionate care for all.

Each year the Society support a different charity and for 2017-18 they have decided to support APP, they said:

‘The charity we have chosen is Action on Postpartum Psychosis, an amazing charity who support women and their families who are affected by postpartum psychosis. Our committee would like to raise awareness and focus on perinatal mental health and for it to be the theme of many of our events that we have planned for this year.’

We are told the first event in the diary will be Freshers Week, where they recruit their newest cohort to the midwifery society – you can find out more via their website here, or on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

APP are really thrilled to have been chosen as their Charity of the Year and we can’t wait to get involved with all their events and activities throughout the next twelve months…watch this space!

Rik & Hannah running the Barns Green Half on 24 September!

A big Thank You to Rik & Hannah who are preparing to run the Barns Green Half marathon on 24th September, in Horsham, West Sussex in aid of APP!

The Barns Green Half is run on closed roads through the beautiful West Sussex countryside, passing through the historic Christ’s Hospital school, where the School’s famous marching band will be playing.  They say ‘we also have a jazz band at the start/finish and four other bands along the route, where there are water stations, distance markers, marshals and of course the support of all the locals and spectators.’  It sounds like quite a fun, music filled half marathon event!

Rik and Hannah are already busy fundraising and would be grateful for extra support, so, please dig deep if you can, and donate via their Just Giving page  – wishing you both the best of luck for 24th September, let’s hope it stays sunny!

Sally & Ruth's £3k for 3K at Big Welsh Swim!

A very big congratulations and thank you to Sally and Ruth who completed the 3k Big Welsh Swim last Saturday, 22nd July! They lucked out with the weather, with a beautifully sunny day at Lake Padarn, North Wales.

They said:
‘Thank-you so so much for all your support. We made it! What a great day, with gorgeous weather and amazing people! #£3kfor3k xxx’

Some very happy smiley faces, after completing their 3k swim! 

They have already raised over £2,500 and their Just Giving page is still accepting donations – please support them and give what you can.

Congratulations to you both, a great achievement! Thank you from us all at APP.

APP Quiz and Pop-Up Shop in 'The Leopard' Tutbury!

APP quiz winners win Comic Relief t-shirts

Wednesday 5th July saw some of APP’s volunteers suffer the indignity of coming last in yet another pub quiz! Whatever: the night went with a swing for APP in other ways. We are greatly indebted to The Leopard’s landlady, Karen (Kaz) Maclean and her big-hearted family for all the hard work which they put into such a successful and fun event – raising APP’s profile in the Midlands and £400 for our funds.

Kaz provided all the food for free, she set up a nearly-new pop up shop, contributed quiz and raffle prizes and hosted the entire night with aplomb. It was an unusual quiz. Picture each team trying to build a house with Bourbon biscuits and a large bar of chocolate or wandering around the pub looking for things beginning with “p”…. Hmmm, yes – rude in parts!
 

Trying to make chocolate houses

I should like to thank all those who provided items for the pop-up shop, quiz and raffle and all those who supported us, especially Elaine Williams who promoted us in Tutbury and did so much more besides.

If you are ever in Tutbury, visit “The Leopard”; a small but warm community pub, with a lovely family at its helm and a charitable core at its heart.

Heather x

APP volunteers at The Leopard

12 marathons in 12 months to celebrate Leo and his mum!

At the start- Dave, Vicky, Me and Charlotte

Nov 5th, 2017 is little Leo’s birthday. His aunt, Holly Haywood, has set herself a massive challenge: to run 12 marathons in 12 months. Holly reasons that if her sister can pull through the shock and heartache of PP then surely she, too, can climb this marathon “mountain” in aid of APP but also in celebration of her brave sister and little Leo.

Holly has already completed The Thames Marathon, The Brighton and The Exeter Marathon and has just completed her fourth marathon where she was joined along the way by some of her colleagues.

She said:

‘3 of us set off at 09:00 and the first half marathon was completed in 2 hours 30mins. We mainly ran on rural roads and along the beautiful Basingstoke canal.

The weather was perfect, overcast and cool.

The second half we were joined by two more colleagues, this half was more hilly and the legs were not enjoying it as much!

We finished the marathon in 5:39, equalling my PB from the Exeter marathon.’

At the half way point joined by Vicky and Tara.

Fortunately colleagues have offered to run with Holly for varying distances, on her next two local marathons (the next one taking place on 1st August), in order to support this valiant effort. Then she will be halfway there! No pressure!

It is truly tough to keep going at such a huge challenge – as well as tout for sponsors – so we at APP are putting a big shout-out to all of you out there. Please take a look at Holly’s fundraising page and dig deep if you possibly can – www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Hollys-Marathon-challenge

Holly is hoping to complete all 12 marathons in time for Leo’s birthday on 5th November, and here’s hoping Holly’s page receives the sponsorship it deserves by little Leo’s next birthday!

A very big Thank You to Holly and all her supporters!

Deborah braves Lake Windermere for the Great North Swim!

Congratulations to Deborah Page, Clinical Team Leader of Perinatal Mental Health at Leeds MBU, who braved the cold of Lake Windermere and successfully completed the Great North Swim on 9th June!

The weather over the weekend was challenging, but all the swimmer and supporters were all fantastic and kept smiling all day.

Deborah said:

‘We did it – Sunday event was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. This resulted in an emergency child care cover Saturday morning, 2 hr drive up to Low Fell, quick jog t the event, quick change, swim the lake, out and change back, jog back to the car and 2 hrs drive back to Leeds. Today has been mainly PJ’s. Thank you all for your donations and support. It kept me going through training and the swim. In memory of those women and babies who sadly lost their lives to the cruel illness that is postnatal mental illness. x’

 A big congratulations and thank you to Deborah from all of us at APP! (and you can still donate via her Just Giving page here)

PPIMHS Team Complete the Great Newham Run!

A very big thank you to Dr Neha Rawat and colleagues and family of PPIMHS (Perinatal Parent Infant Mental Health Service) at NELFT (North East London NHS Foundation Trust) who completed the 10k Great Newham London run which took place on Sunday 2nd July.

They said ’We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and am glad to report that we are still fundraising!’

They certainly look very happy on completing their run, a big congratulations and thank you from everyone at APP!

Please do continue to support their fundraising efforts; you can still donate via their Virgin Money Giving page here.

Is this the most fun way to raise money?

Even though she hates running, Jocelyn took part in the Manchester Color Run on 1 July to raise money for APP: donate here

It wasn’t the first time. She enjoyed it so much last year she went back for more! 

It does look like a LOT of fun.

Who wants to sign up for next year? 

Section of Women's Mental Health, KCL, Support APP

Three cheers for Jill Domoney, one of APP’s two runners in the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon. 

The race takes in the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens. As it takes place on 8th October the runners should enjoy glorious shades of autumn through the beautifully kept parks. 

Jill may be the one in training but wonderfully, the whole Section of Women’s Mental Health at Kings College London are getting behind her. Expect a cake sale, rattling of collection boxes and general drumming up of support for Jill’s athletic effort.

Make a donation to Jill’s fundraising page here. 

We are very grateful to Jill and her colleagues for recognising the value of APP’s essential work with mums and families affected by Postpartum Psychosis and all their efforts to fundraise for us. 

Holly's Amazing Marathon Challenge

Congratulations to Holly Haywood who ran the Exeter marathon on 21st May to raise money for APP. She says:

It was a very hot day, but the course was picturesque which helped. I got a personal best of 5 hours 39 mins. All recovered now and looking into booking my next one.

Running one marathon is a huge endeavour but Holly is running 12!  Here’s why: 

My sister suffered with this after my nephew Leo was born and it changed our family. We had never heard of the condition before and not realised that Beth was unwell until she was not able to cope with everyday life.

We spent the first few days looking after Leo and supporting Beth, before she was admitted to the Mother and baby unit in Bornemouth where her condition gradually improved and she was allowed home.

It’s only now, nearly 3 years down the line that I don’t constantly worry about Beth. She is a tough cookie and will survive anything.

Please donate to help APP do their amazing work supporting families like mine.

So, that’s three down, nine marathons to go!  Holly would definitely appreciate your support and donations to get here there. 

Music 4 Mums Round up

Our very first Music 4 Mums fundraising initiative on World Maternal Mental Health Day has raised over £5,000 so far.

We are very grateful to all who staged an event, including Benedicte Waaler (top left), Tutbury Community Choir (bottom right), York Light Orchestra (top right), Ripon Community Orchestra (bottom left), Bradford Midwives, Fishergate Primary School and Burgess Hill School. You can find out more about the events on our Fundraising News page. 

We are also very grateful to our team and volunteers who worked so hard to promote and support the initiative, shout out to Hannah, Ellie, Kat, Emma, Heather and many others. 

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, promoted by the PMH Partnership and featuring the hashtag #MaternalMHMatters, created a lot of interest on social media during the first week of May, closely followed by Mental Health Awareness Week after this. #MHAW2017 featured heavily on Twitter and it was great to see more conversations about mental health and PP.

Media activity in this time was also high, including a Radio 4 interview with Hannah B about her PP experience and a Daily Mail feature on Hannah F; go to our media page for the latest news, including International Day of the Midwife which also fell in early May and was supported by midwives in Bradford. 

Peer Support & Regional Reps Co-ordinator Hannah also attended an IDM2017 event in Darlington, hosted by the Co Durham & Darlington Trust.  Amongst speakers including Baroness Cumberlege, who mentioned the need for improved perinatal mental health care as part of the Better Births review, and national and regional figures from Royal College of Midwives and others, Hannah shared her experience of PP and the changes in the PMH landscape in recent years.  She also managed to give APP Guides to the Baroness! 

PPIMHS Team Tackle 10k Great Newham Run!

Dr Neha Rawat. colleagues and family of PPIMHS (Perinatal Parent Infant Mental Health Service) at NELFT (North East London NHS Foundation Trust) are running the 10k Great Newham London run on Sunday 2 July in aid of APP.

All runners in the 10k will get the chance to have their very own Olympic moment as they finish inside the Stadium and cross the famous finish line and running track! They say:

“We are a community perinatal mental health service and our running team is composed of doctors, therapists, nurses, social workers, admin, sons and daughters… 

We have seen and experienced closely how damaging postpartum psychosis can be for mothers and families and what it means to have timely help and intervention.

The support that charities like Action on Postpartum Psychosis  (APP) provide, in addition to professional intervention from services like ours, to families goes a long way in helping families manage this very difficult time and experience.

We are running in support of Action on Postpartum Psychosis – a charity that’s close to our hearts and that has been working tirelessly with professionals and families to improve lives of families affected by postnatal psychosis. This is our way of saying thank you to the tireless work that APP does and has been doing with mums and families.”

A very big THANK YOU to all fourteen team members running this event! Please support them and donate via their Virgin Money Giving page here .

Helen & Team Complete Tougher Mudder!

A big well done and thank you to Helen Jackson and team for successfully completing the Tougher Mudder event on 13th May and raising over £400 for APP!

Helen says: ’It was difficult, cold and filthy but a real testament to the strength of teamwork. Not just from my friends but all the other runners helped us out at every challenge. An amazing supportive atmosphere.”

A special thank you from us all at APP to all the team members who took part and to everyone who donated as well – and it’s still possible to donate via Helen’s JustGiving page here.

Music 4 Mums: Waka Hasegawa Piano Recital

Video: Waka Hasegawa playing Mia & Sebastian’s theme from La La Land, a deeply moving and special performance in aid of Action on Postpartum Psychosis at St John’s Waterloo (video by Kat Grant).

We are extremely grateful to APP volunteer Benedicte Waaler who organised a wonderful piano recital by renowned pianist, Waka Hasegawa, in London last week as part of our Music4Mums awareness and fundraising initiative.

The concert, refreshment collection, auction and Just Giving page has raised a tremendous amount, over £3,000 to date.

Benedicte wishes to thank:

- Waka Hasagawa who is an incredibly talented and hardworking pianist (and single mum!)
– actor Katie Underwood who auctioneered off all the art and experiences (she was so witty and really made it fun!)
– the artists who donated art: Nadia Attura, Lene Bladbjerg, Daniel Mackie, James Tarry, Yo Okada & Kel Rae
– chef Yuki Gomi who donated a sushi cooking class
– the manager at Metropolis Studios who donated a tour of the studios
– APP volunteer, Kathryn Grant de Vecchi, who was absolutely brilliant, bringing lots of cupcakes donated by Butterscotch bakery, helping set up and clear out and giving a speech about APP and all along promoting and sharing on social media!
– and of course friends who volunteered on the night and donated beer and wine!

APP wishes to add its thanks to all above and especially Benedicte for organising such a high profile event so swiftly and effectively. 

Benedicte introduces the recital

Music 4 Mums: York Light Orchestra

“Is it Abba week? We’ve written out ‘Thank You for the Music’ in ‘money money money’! All for a good cause #m4mums“

We’re are in awe of the amazing Music4Mums coin art from York Light Orchestra! Thanks so much to everyone who contributed and got so creative in aid of APP.

Music 4 Mums: Harmonics Community Choir

Many thanks to Harmonics Community Choir and Tutbury Village for their support of Music4Mums. Here’s a report from their musical evening. 

Wow! Tutbury has its very own Gareth Malone. What a tremendous village event this was in support of APP’s Music4Mums: a choir full of life and harmony and some amazing solo performances by young and not so young singers. 

You just had to be there to feel the joy and the coming together in support of APP.

Steve Mitchell, Tutbury’s charismatic Choirmaster and his wife, Jenny, led not only the choir but also such rousing community singing that the rafters lifted off Tutbury’s Old School Hall. 

Warm thanks go to Elaine Williams – the ever bubbly organiser of the event who, once she heard of APP’s Music4Mums, seized the initiative and managed to gather together a team of willing bakers, tea servers, clearers, raffle prize givers and all manner of helpers to make it a truly memorable event.

To give a flavour, the local landlady, Kaz McLean of The Leopard, Tutbury socking “Goodness Gracious : Great Balls of Fire!” to the assembled; a nervous young George (Williamson) beautifully singing “Candle in the Wind” and an absolute star in the making called Eleanor Cawser giving the most poignant, unaccompanied rendition of an Etta James number, “All I could do was cry” and so much more talent besides.

The audience, including babe in arms, Olivia were delighted by the amazing voice of 15-year-old Lilly Prince (whose grandmas both recently joined Harmonics Community Choir) when she sang, “Part of that world” from The Little Mermaid.

More than one audience member, including some burly-looking chaps, were seen to wipe a tear from their eye when Caroline Potterton (whose grandma, Veronica is also a Harmonics soprano) sang, “On My Own” from Les Misérables and all the guest performers and audience joined in when the choir sang, “I Dreamed a Dream”.

Throughout the tea break Adrian Blamire (APP’s Treasurers husband) serenaded us in such rich tones that it was clear he was being talent- scouted by the choir committee and would not be let out alive without signing – up !

At the end of the evening, APP volunteer, Heather Heron, spoke about the charity’s work and thanked all for their kindness and support in affording her the opportunity to raise awareness of PP and funds for APP. 

Music 4 Mums: Ripon Community Orchestra Play Along!

Dust off your instruments, Ripon Community Orchestra are holding a ‘Come & Play Session’ in Bishop Monkton Village Hall, near Harrogate. 

The orchestra  ‘invites players from all walks of life to come and enjoy an afternoon tackling Beethoven’s 1st Symphony.’

The afternoon concludes with a play-through performance of the piece at 5pm and spectators/listeners are welcome! There will be a collection for APP. 

The Play Along takes place on Sunday 7th May 2017 at Bishop Monkton Village Hall, 2.30-5.30pm and we are very grateful to the Orchestra for supporting Music 4 Mums! 

Contact us for more info. 

Meet Our Amazing Sporty Fundraisers

There’s so much athletic activity going on! All links go to fundraising pages where available so please click through, read their stories and support their fantastic endeavours. 

• Jenny Mason is running the Clayton 10K on 10th May
• Helen Jackson is taking on the Tough Mudder obstacle + mud challenge in the Midlands on 13th May. 
• Deborah Page, Clinical Lead of the Perinatal Mental Health Team at Leeds MBU is taking part in the Great North Swim in June. 
• Sally Wilson (listen to her story on iPlayer)  and Ruth Mullineux will be taking the plunge in a cold lake in Wales in July. 
• Andy Henderson (who built APP’s website) is cycling 300 miles across France in the Hayling Cycle Ride in July. 

Thanks and good luck to you all.

Congratulations to Holly Haywood who ran the Brighton Marathon on 9th April in 5h 46m in blazing heat! Only 10 more marathons to go. 

Congratulations also to KT who completed the London Marathon at the weekend, raising £4,000 for APP.  We’re waiting to hear more about her experience. 

—-

If you’re taking on a challenge for APP please let us know. Email fundraising@app-network.org 

Music 4 Mums: London Piano Recital

We are delighted to announce that award-winning pianist Waka Hasegawa has agreed to give a recital at St John’s Church, London Waterloo on 3rd May.

Programme:
Handel, The Harmonious Blacksmith
Beethoven, Sonata No. 14 Op.27-2 “Moonlight Sonata”
Chopin, Nocturnes Op.9 No.2 & Op.27 No.2 & Waltzes Op.64 No.1 & Op. 69 No.1
Liszt, Liebesträume No.2 (Dreams of Love)
Piazzolla, Adios Nonino “Tango Rhapsody”

There will be an interval with refreshments and a silent auction too. 

Waka is a friend of APP member, Benedicte Waaler, who has done a fantastic job organising this high profile event so swiftly and now we all need to help her promote it.

Tickets are £15 +bkg with all proceeds to APP. The concert will be followed by an auction. BOOK TICKETS HERE and please spread the word. 

Find out more about our Music 4 Mums fundraising initiative in May here. 

Comic Relief Fund PP Peer Support

APP Director Jess proudly wearing a red nose alongside Ruth from Bluebell Care and Alison and Shabira from Best Beginnings, who have also received Comic Relief support.

On Red Nose Day 2017, we’re thrilled to announce that Comic Relief have awarded APP a grant of £120,000 to part-fund our peer support service from 1 March for 30 months.

This will fund paid time for our Peer Support Coordinators and workshops to train new Peer Support Volunteers.

We are delighted with this news but it’s only one part of the funding jigsaw. We are working on a new application to the Big Lottery, alongside other Trusts & Foundations. Our new health professional training, with lived experience speakers, will help raise extra cash and we have events planned throughout the year starting with Music 4 Mums around World Maternal Mental Health day.

Your support continues to be vital, allowing us to help women & families, whilst we secure further funding. It has been a powerful way to demonstrate to funders the need for our charity and the commitment of our supporters.

Thank you and a big THANK YOU to Comic Relief. Please enjoy Red Nose Day and don’t forget to donate! 

Ruth & Sally's Big Welsh Swim

Sally suffered with postpartum psychosis following the birth of her daughter in 2015.

It was a terrifying experience that Sally has fought hard and shown immense determination to overcome. Two years on, Sally and friend Ruth will plunge into a freezing cold Welsh lake this summer in celebration of her recovery and to raise money for APP. They say: 

“We are setting ourselves this challenge in solidarity with the incredible bravery of every single woman who has experienced this frightening illness. We also want to honour the partners, families and friends who are affected. Our aim is to raise oodles of cash to fund further research, better information and support for sufferers of PP. So please, please dig deep and support a charity that helps women and their families recover from this devastating illness, thank-you!”

Please support their Big Welsh Swim. 

You can read about and listen to Sally and husband Jamie’s story in this powerful episode of BBC Radio Wales Eye on Wales programme. 

Who's up for the Royal Parks Half Marathon?

For the first time, APP has been awarded TWO places in the Royal Parks Half Marathon. 

Race day is Sunday 8th October, so more than 6 months to get in training. They say, 

“This stunning central London half marathon, takes in the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.”

We need two keen runners and fundraisers to get involved. Could it be you? Email app@app-network.org to express interest and let us know why you want to run for APP.  

London Marathon Training Update!

6 weeks and counting!!! An update from Katie. 

Deborah to Plunge into Great North Swim

What lurks in Lake Windemere?

Deborah Page, Clinical Team Leader of Perinatal Mental Health at Leeds MBU, will find out in June as she braves the Great North Swim to raise money for APP!

Please support Deborah by sponsoring her via this JustGiving page. 

She says ‘Women with lived experience of this cruel illness, give their time to support other mothers and we professionals hand out leaflets provided by APP offering advice and support to supplement the work we do. APP have supported and advised on policy and service development to improve access to services for families. They continue to support us in trying to increase awareness and reduce the stigma of post natal mental illness. Stigma and guilt are the biggest barriers to women accessing support. Please give what little you can. It all helps. Thank you so much. Deborah’

APP’s Regional Rep Coordinator, Hannah, has worked with Deborah at Leeds MBU and says:

“My visit to the unit was the first meeting I had as a Regional Rep and I got a really warm welcome.  I saw the APP Insider Guides and posters I had taken along were put out and displayed as one of the Doctors showed me around.  It was great to hear that they felt they’d soon be taken by patients and families, as some other copies had long since gone!

Chatting about my experiences, especially around my 2nd pregnancy, it really struck me that general and maternity professionals weren’t as aware of the service as they might be. I didn’t know at the time, but they would have seen me if only my care team had known to refer me! It was such an honour to be asked by Deborah to speak at the launch of the new Yorkshire and Humber Perinatal Mental Health Outreach service in March 2016 and to share my story with over 100 attendees.“

Team MBU Complete Half-Marathon for APP

A big congratulations and thank you to the team at Bethlem Royal Hospital Mother and Baby Unit who successfully completed the Hampton Court Half Marathon on 19 February 2017 and have raised over £2000 for APP!

What a fantastic achievement from everyone involved in helping to raise funds for APP, which also included a cake sale back in December last year. 

They say: “We survived the run! Still keeping our JustGiving page open for this week for a final push for donations. We have raised over £2000!!!”

A special thanks to the runners of Team MBU and also to everyone who helped to raise awareness and achieve such a brilliant result!

Please visit their JustGiving page where you can still donate for this week.

Meet Our Amazing London Marathon Runner

For the first time, APP has been awarded a charity place in the London Marathon and we are thrilled to introduce you to our runner, Katie Dyer.

Please support and sponsor her here. 

Katie is running in memory of her dear friend Alice Gibson-Watt who passed away following complications connected with Postpartum Psychosis. Her daughter, Chiara, was five weeks old. Here’s her story, in her own words:

“I am a 37 year old Mother of a little boy and until 2012 I  had no knowledge or awareness of Postpartum Psychosis. Despite being given information on Post Natal Depression during my pregnancy no one seemed to mention or discuss the possibility of this sudden and severe condition.

Alice and I had been friends since we were little. She was in fact my oldest friend, an unwavering constant in my life as we grew up together, and  it was with much excitement that we awaited the birth of her daughter, Chiara in October 2012. I had given birth a year earlier and couldn’t wait to share the experience of Motherhood with her, as I had all the other important moments in our lives from travelling around the world to planning our weddings. Whilst I tentatively warned her about the need to rest and the impact of sleep deprivation, I never dreamt to mention post natal depression nor did I even know about the possibility of postnatal psychosis. 

Four weeks after her daughter was born, Alice suffered a psychotic episode and further complications led to her passing away a week later leaving behind her devastated family, friends and a daughter who will never truly know just how wonderful her Mother was.
 
There is nothing positive about this situation or this mental illness. It is vicious, cruel and deeply unjust. On the morning I was told that Alice, my bright, beautiful, determined friend who had fought so hard to become a Mother, was in hospital with a bleak prognosis I felt an overwhelming urge to run. Running has a meditative quality that I discovered in my late 20s and I think has been essential to my own mental stability in times of stress. And so I ran that day trying to tell myself if would be OK. Unfortunately for Alice and those close to her; it was not.
 
However, in the spirit of Alice’s unquestionable strength and positivity, it is so important to remember that there is much to be done to ensure other families do not suffer in the same way. To this end, I am hugely honoured to be running the London Marathon for APP. The work they do to publicise, support and educate is vital to prevent further devastating losses and to provide essential life lines to sufferers and their families.
 
I will run in Alice’s name and all those who have suffered from this unjust and frightening condition.”

You can support Katie’s training and fundraising at her Virgin Money Giving page and save the date! The London Marathon is on 23rd April 2017 and we want as many APP supporters to be there to cheer her on as possible. 

Triathletes Take On Xmas Mincepie Cycle

Sue & Iain's 50th Birthday Fundraising

Iain with baby Alex

We are so grateful to Iain and Sue McKendrick who set up a fundraising page for APP on the occasion of their 50th birthdays. Iain told us,

“We were delighted when we discovered what APP was doing, because 16 years ago, when Sue was ill, there was so little advice and information available.  We were incredibly lucky that various friends rallied round to help me, that my mum was able to come and stay for a month or so, and that the local Social Work department was willing to assign some help once Sue was home and I needed to go back to work… but it could all have been so different.”

Iain’s birthday was in July and Sue’s is in December so they threw a big party in between and included the link to the fundraising page on the invitations asking for donations rather than presents. They managed to raise over £700 for APP, so a very big thank you to Sue and Iain!

Sue, as a 50th birthday objective, has collated a collection of her poetry and is having it published.  There is a section in the book where she talks about PP, and some of the poems are about that period in our lives, and in reference to her experience, she has called the book ‘Method in my Madness’. Read more about Sue’s story including some of her powerful poems here.

Bethlem Royal Hospital Mother and Baby Unit Fundraising For APP

A big thank you to the staff from the Mother and Baby unit at the Bethlem Royal Hospital who are in training for the Hampton Court half marathon in February 2017 and raising money for APP. They say:

“Working on a Mother and Baby unit, we are all very aware of the illness postpartum psychosis, as well as many other illnesses relating to women during pregnancy and after giving birth. We want to raise money for the amazing charity APP and support their work as well as raise awareness around mental health during pregnancy and after having a baby.”

They have recently had a very successful cake sale to help towards reaching their fundraising target and have emailed us an update on their endeavours:

“Just wanted to share some photos with you from our cake sale. The fundraising is going well, so far we have raised nearly £500! We are planning to do a raffle for Christmas and of course sharing our JustGiving page for people to sponsor us for the half marathon.”

You can support this wonderful team of people at their JustGiving fundraising page here.

A Marathon A Month For APP

Holly Hawood is running the Thames Meander Marathon on Saturday 5th November.

Her sister, Beth, experienced PP after the birth of her son, Leo and this is just the first in a series of 12 marathons she intends to run over the next year to raise money for APP. 

You can read more about her story and donate to encourage this incredible effort over at her JustGiving page. In the meantime, Holly emailed us with a pre-race update: 

“I have attached a photo of my first training run with my fabulous running partner Alaska. She is my cheerleader on my long distance training runs, and even at crawling pace when I’m on mile 17 of 18 she will give me that little helpful pull up the final hill!

Alaska is 3 and I’ve been running with her since she was a year old. She’s helped me train for 10K and half marathon races in the past, and knowing that she needs to stretch her legs encourages me to put my kit on and go!

On Saturday I embark on Marathon 1 of 12. 5th of November, a poignant date for me as it is my nephew Leo’s 3rd birthday. My sister has now fully recovered from her PPP after Leo’s birth and they are celebrating his birthday in Disneyland Paris.

I will be thinking of her every step of my marathon journey and be thankful that she had the amazing support she did. Without that support I know things would have been different.”

Please support Holly’s amazing endeavour. Donate to sponsor her at JustGiving now. 

Kayley's Story - The Spartan Race for APP!

A huge congratulations to Kayley Easterbook for taking on the huge challenge of the Spartan Race last week. 

“The event was brilliant, I really enjoyed myself.” said Kayley who is raising money after her experience of PP. 

Kayley endured the mud and obstacles after her hard work and training for the event:

“The white APP shirt got totally covered in mud but I wore it around nonetheless”.

Thank you so much for doing this Kayley. 

Please support her amazing effort by clicking here.

Kayley at the finish line, an amazing triumph!

The Spartan Sprint Shirt and Medal, what an achievement!

Kayley and Debbie are in Training for APP

Kayley in training

We’re delighted that two supporters are taking part in two different races to raise money for APP this October.

On 1st October, Kayley is taking part in the Spartan Sprint in Windsor Great Park. Spartan races are full on, featuring over 15 obstacles such as a rope climb, fire jump, tyre drag, wall climb and more over 5-6k. Kayley has been in serious training, lifting weights and getting Sprint fit.

Please wish her well and increase her motivation by sponsoring her amazing effort. All funds raised will go towards raising awareness of Postpartum Psychosis. We’re hugely grateful to Kayley not only for signing up to this physical challenge but also for distributing our patient information guides in her local health services and sharing her personal story. 

A few weeks later, Debbie takes on the Great South Run in memory of her cousin Rosy. It’s a fast and flat 10 mile course through Southsea and Portsmouth. She’s also been in training, running rain or shine and just got her APP vest and flyers in the post. 

Please support Debbie’s amazing efforts to raise vital funds to help keep our peer support and information services available to everyone who needs them.

Find out more about APP’s work and read personal experience stories on our website. We provide the only PP peer support network in the UK. 

Huge Thanks To Helping Hands

Helping Hands Grand Sale for APP

Donate Monthly - Help Us Help More People

Could you support APP with a regular, monthly donation?

Monthly gifts give us a predictable income so we can commit to helping more women and families affected by PP.  For example, by training more much-needed Peer Support Volunteers or sending our vital PP patient information out to more Mother and Baby Units across the UK. 

Monthly gifts are really valuable as they give us a predictable income so we can commit to helping more women and families affected by PP.  It’s quick and easy to sign up and Gift Aid will be dealt with online. Just click on “make a monthly donation” from our charity page. 

 You can also set this up through JustGiving but their fees are higher so we receive a bit less of your generous donation. 

If you prefer to set up a standing order with your bank these are the details you need to give them:

Our bank: HSBC
Account name: APP Network Ltd
Sort code: 40-15-20
Account number: 91839705

Please complete a Gift Aid form and return it to us and make your monthly donation worth even more. Thank you. 

There are many different ways that you can help APP. Take a look at our fundraising page and browse latest fundraising news for more inspiration. Thank you very much. 

Jocelyn runs a colourful 5k for APP

Congratulations to Jocelyn who completed the Manchester Color Run on Saturday raising more than £250 for APP, despite it hailing during the event!

Jocelyn did her research and sought out the “funniest 5k” she could find. The Color Run encourages its runners to wear face paint, glitter and the most colourful accessories you can find. A white t-shirt or vest is essential though as participants are showered in colour at every kilometre! 

There are Color Runs coming up in Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Brighton between now and September so who else is up for running the funniest, happiest and most colourful 5k for APP? 

Visit thecolorrun.co.uk for more information and to enter the fun run. 

APP Purple Events

Throughout the year we ask people across the UK to hold a Purple Party or event where donations on the day are made to APP. We need YOU to get together with friends, family & colleagues & hold a Purple Event!

Here are a few suggestions of ways you can raise funds & have a great time too! We’re sure you can think of other ideas for events that work well, so use your imaginations & let us know so we can add them to this list. Do let us know if you’re planning anything fun or exciting & we’d really like photos & reports of your event! We can supply party packs with advertising & raising awareness literature if needed. The money you raise will make a difference to the lives of people affected by Postpartum Psychosis. Email: fundraising@www.app-network.org

Continue reading →

Zumbathon fundraiser

On the 21st March, APP’s Mia and Val joined Karen for her fantastic Irish themed ‘Shake Your Shamrocks Zumbathon’ to raise funds for APP. The night was a great success with Zumba dances ranging from Irish themed to a modern dance lead by 10 year Paige. Easter team games followed by a fantastic raffle and refreshments. Karen’s limitless energy enthused everyone to get active, get dancing and have fun. A huge thank you to Karen for organising such a fantastic fundraiser, and a big thank you to all those who came to support on the night, who generously donated and who took away APP’s leaflets and information to share. Karen has raised over £300 so far from the event which is a brilliant amount, and a fun filled, enjoyable night was had by all! 

'Worlds Biggest Pub Quiz' fundraiser

Winning Team ‘Unit 4 Plus 2′

We would like to thank everyone who took part in our ‘Worlds Biggest Pub Quiz’ fundraiser on Sunday 7th Feb. With the standard of teams being very high and plenty of challenging questions, our well deserved congratulations go to the winning team ‘Unit 4 Plus 2′. Our thanks go to The Warwickshire Golf & Country Club for hosting the evening, to our Volunteer Hayley for organising the event & to Charles for giving a heartfelt talk about personal experiences of PP from a partner’s perspective. An amazing amount raised & a fabulous evening all round!

Roll-Royce Male Voice Choir Musical Evening

Join us on 27th November at The Pavillion, Derby, DE24 9HY for this wonderful charity fundraiser. For tickets Tel: 0844 477 0601 or email heather@app-network.org

2nd place in Dublin 70.3 Ironman for Alex (age 66!)

Back in September 2014 it felt like a good idea to try a 70.3 Ironman and take the opportunity to raise some more money for APP.

I injured my neck and shoulder in a race crash in Geneva and had made it worse by going into the ditch avoiding a tractor a week before Dublin.

If this report doesn’t sound like I enjoyed most of the race then it’s accurate – I’d been to a sports physio and an osteopath the week before but the level of pain I was getting from my neck and shoulder meant that at every stage of the race I was telling myself, “I’ll just do this next bit and then drop out”.

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Tracey completes 10 mile walk for APP

In June 2015 my sister-in-law joined me in a 10 mile charity walk through the Kent countryside. It was an exhausting but rewarding day, with the added bonus of plenty of sunshine and beautiful views. I selected APP as my chosen charity as the work they do for women and their families is so important. When I suffered postpartum psychosis myself 11 years ago there was very little user-friendly reliable information, and no access to peer support. It was a lonely and terrifying place to be, and the stigma surrounding mental illness really hindered me in properly engaging in the treatment and support that I was offered. I count myself very lucky to have achieved a good recovery.  The information produced by APP, their anti-stigma work and online peer support forum provides amazing support for women who experience this distressing and dangerous illness. I hope that the £180 I raised will be a really worthwhile contribution to their work.

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Tracey for completing the walk and raising funds too!

Ollie's half marathon 'thank you' for APP support

This year I will be running the Leicester Half Marathon on Sunday 25th October. A complete turnaround for someone who hated running six months ago and couldn’t run a mile. A 10k assault course for charity in April whetted my appetite and the next step beckoned.

I feel I really have to push myself this year, I’m not getting any younger, I want the physical challenge but the ultimate goal is to represent my heroic wife and the support APP have provided to both of us. Giving something back is of paramount importance to me.

My wife encountered PP in summer 2013 after the birth of our daughter and then suffered a particularly nasty relapse in summer 2014. I encountered the comforting arms of APP during and after the relapse. You were there when I needed you and when my wife was well enough, when she needed you. The chance to speak to volunteers and other families going through the same experiences was and still is invaluable as we try to make sense of it all; To learn that you are not alone, despite the apparent destruction of your ‘world’.

APP has been incredibly supportive of me as a husband, the carer in the bad times. A mentor, a chat on the forum and a chance to shape future care with discussions and taking part in research with Cardiff Uni. If I could grade your support, A*, every time.

Thank you, Ollie.

<Click here to sponsor Ollie>

Worthing 10K run for APP

Jo, who is an enthusiastic supporter of APP, is running the Worthing 10K in June and raising funds for APP.

“I hope that mothers, partners & families everywhere will sponsor me in order to enable APP to address the ignorance, stigma & lack of provision which it has already done so much to address.”

Running 10k will not be easy for Jo (is it ever?) so please spur her on by sponsoring her if you can. Let us try together to exceed her target!

Click here to sponsor Jo>

Golden wedding couple donate to APP

On Friday, 3rd April Sandra and Bob Chapman of Rosliston celebrated their golden wedding at Hoon Ridge in Derbyshire by kind invitation of Alex & Heather Heron.  An afternoon tea party was enjoyed by a very lively group. Sandra is a member of the local “Breakaways” choir who, in between scones and strawberries sang well into the evening .  Adrian Blamire entertained the party during the afternoon and Heather spoke about the valuable work of APP. Instead of presents Sandra & Bob asked for a donation to be sent to APP. We thank the happy couple for thinking of APP as they tripped down memory lane with their friends and family. A great sum of £192 was raised. Well done everyone! …And what a great team of caterers!

Artwork raises funds for APP

A unique and evocative piece donated by the exciting artist Dale vN Marshall was auctioned in December. After much anticipation and some fierce bidding, we were very pleased the final figure reached £594.

We would like to thank Dale and his supporters for this incredible chance to raise money to support, campaign, research, publish, inform and connect to build a better future for all those effected by Postpartum Psychosis. I’d like to add my own personal thanks for creating a remarkable body of work that transcends words and moved me so deeply.

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The Chelsea and Yorkshire Building Societies Supporting APP!

In November a talented artist, Alexis Stevens, designed and produced Christmas cards for  the Chelsea & Yorkshire Building Societies with the aim of donating all of the sale proceeds to APP.

The eye catching result with its London dreamscape and pop- art style is already selling well in the societies’ branches- especially in London.

We feel sure that APP Members and Friends or supporters of APP throughout the UK would enjoy sending the cards – either in a “corporate” capacity or as personal cards to friends – not only to support fundraising but also to raise awareness of our charity (whose details are writ large on the back of each card!)

We should like to offer the warmest of thanks to Alexis & to the Westminster branch of the Society and also to the production team behind the project including: Alan Bale who has been so very helpful in getting cards out to branches and also to Donna Dunston who has sorted out production.

By seizing the initiative & supporting APP in this way, the Chelsea & Yorkshire team have shown just how flexible, caring, and energetically charitable such companies can be in support of those with serious perinatal mental illness .  So if you are near the following branches in London, Chelsea, Ealing, Fulham, Kensington, City, West End or Westminster, why not pop in as our ambassadors , say “hello”, and buy some of the societies’ cards ? Branch finder>

Warm thanks & a Happy Xmas to Alexis Stevens and all those at the Chelsea & Yorkshire Building Societies , who are supporting APP this Xmas season.

From the APP fundraising team

Congratulations London to Brighton Riders!

Our huge thanks go to Anna Jones who celebrated her 40th birthday by thinking of others. Anna persuaded her friends to join her in a recent charity London to Brighton bike-ride for APP. This really was no mean feat given that she managed to build a team of 34 women who trained for months to complete the ride. They all arrived in Brighton in a purple t-shirted haze of glory and raised the most magnificent sum of £11,598.82 to help us with our work. Again, we cannot thank team Anna Jones enough for what has proved to be a real highlight for APP.

North-West Triathlon Relay Triumph!

Our huge thanks go to Stephen and Kerstin Botham and to their friend Jen who successfully completed the recent North-West Triathlon Relay in aid of APP. The triathlon was the culmination of very many months of fundraising by team Botham on behalf of APP, in memory of their friend rosy who died after an episode of PP.

We cannot thank the Bothams’ team enough for their months of arduous training and for the selfless giving of their time at the saddest of times for all concerned. Their efforts raised a huge sum for app of £4,325 which will be used to support and raise much needed awareness of PP so that other women might escape the tragedy which has faced Rosy’s family and friends.

Purple Party in Memory of Rosy

Close friends of tragic young mum Rosy Hinchliffe have launched a ‘life-long’ fund and awareness raising mission in her memory.  Kerstin and her husband Stephen Botham are to put on a host of events for APP and the couple’s first major event will be an all-day ‘purple party’ charity auction and raffle.

They will also compete in the Northwest Triathlon in September as part of their bid to prevent similar incidents occurring among new mothers in the future.

If you are nearby, please do go along and support this event if you can – you’ll be sure to receive a warm welcome! Or if you can support  in any way, by donating,  supplying auction items or providing live music etc. please get in touch.

Huddersfield Daily Examiner article: Charity event in memory of Rosy>>

To donate please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/TriActionPP

or text TAPP84 £5, £10, £15 to 70070

'Laps for Alice' at the Brooklands Half

Edward and Tilly are taking on the massive challenge of running the Brooklands Half Marathon, Surrey in March. We wish them good luck with their training and hope they run like the wind on the day! We are very grateful to them and everyone who has helped them raise an amazing amount so far. THANK YOU.

Please support them here if you can>

Purple party at Hoon Ridge

Last year, APP trustees from the Derby area hosted a ‘Purple Party’ at Hoon Ridge. Picture: table tennis; bean-bag tossing; field skittles; badminton; ‘How many APP balloons in a mini?’; children’s art tent; a cake stall heaped with donations; tombola; an impressive auction of artwork, fine wines, holiday accommodation, business tuition and much more ….; toddlers’ play garden; sports massages; pamper sessions; cream teas and champagne; beer and curries etc …all rounded off with a game of rounders: men v women! (the ladies won hands-down…almost). We cannot thank enough all those who helped or came along to support, trustees, members, regional representatives, entire families – press-ganged into cooking, clearing, serving, erecting. The afternoon raised almost £2,200 for APP which is just an amazing amount to have achieved.

Gorgeous handmade jewellery to raise funds

Redenti handmade vintage-inspired jewellery is now available.

Each Redenti piece is uniquely handmade using semi-precious stones, pearls, swarovski crystals and a vintage brooch or two. Gold and silver plate and sterling silver are also used to create unique & stunning pieces.

“This first collection has been made in memory of my cousin Alice. A third of Redenti profits go to APP which supports mums suffering from Postpartum Psychosis as Alice did, & their families.”

Treat yourself or someone special in your life & raise funds at the same time! Free UK postage & packaging.

Enjoy browsing here»

“Thank you for having a browse & for joining me in adding a drop of love into the ocean for those affected by postpartum psychosis, a deeply challenging illness.”

Willis Associates Support APP at Christmas & New Year

What a heartening start to 2014 for the fundraising team of APP!

Between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve the company Willis Group nominates 3 charities who each share the donations from associates who are in the office over that period. They operate a “dress down” policy on each of those days and associates donate each day they come in to work.

What a brilliant way of giving associates a voice and in the process : giving support to charities like ours who are doing such hard work on behalf of women and families affected by Postpartum Psychosis.

Warm thanks are due to all at Willis Associates for their very generous cheque and especially to their colleague who nominated APP – as being eminently worthy of their company’s support.

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Thank You to Sotheby's!

We are greatly indebted to Sotheby’s, London for throwing itself into fundraising and awareness – raising for APP. In a number of ways the Sotheby’s staff worked so very hard to promote and support us this Summer and Autumn.

Thanks are due to Penny Speight and her artistic team for mounting a Staff Summer Exhibition and a highly successful Preview Evening complete with a delicious buffet, fantastic wine, a high standard of artwork, and the most moving of speeches from trustee Nicola Muckelroy. Thanks are also due to Lord Dalmeny and our chair, Professor Ian Jones who both spoke in warm support of our important work and of those women and families who find themselves affected by Postpartum Psychosis.

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Birmingham Family Fun Event

On 18^th Aug , APP ‘s Heather Heron and Nic Muckelroy journeyed to Martineau Gardens in Birmingham to attend a special family fun event organised by staff of Birmingham’s Mother & Baby Unit (MBU). We are grateful to Giles Berrisford and Clare Hooper for affording us the opportunity to man an APP stall in order to raise awareness of PP. It was a hugely enjoyable day for those families who have benefited from such a great facility as the Birminham MBU and for those friends who continue to support it. If you have not been to Martineau gardens : go ! It is a wonderfully quirky little place for children and families.

Sotheby's Staff Summer Exhibition

On 25^th July, Sotheby’s organised a Staff Summer Exhibition in London. APP was the chosen charity and a great preview evening was enjoyed by a huge throng of invited guests, including APP trustees. We are greatly indebted to the team at Sotheby’s including all of the artists and those who produced the impressive catalogue. It was humbling to see Sotheby’s staff working so hard on our behalf, both on the special preview night and prior to it.  Informative and moving speeches were delivered by Nic Muckelroy and Prof. Ian Jones and the feedback from all involved was really positive.

We will report soon on the final amount raised at this event.

APP / PP Catalogue Advert

These are the two pages providing information on Postpartum Psychosis & APP charity printed in the Sotheby’s London, 22nd July – 9th August catalogue.

Many thanks & heartfelt gratitude to Sotheby’s staff for your considerable efforts & hosting a wonderful event!

Click here to download the advert pdf»

Support Us at Sotheby’s Annual Staff Exhibition

Voices of the Valley Charity Concert

On Friday 14th June, 2013 some members of the APP Board, along with their friends, journeyed to Llay nr Wrexham in Wales for a charity concert performed by the internationally renowned, Welsh ”Fron Male Voice Choir“. APP will benefit financially by the Fron’s generosity and we should like to thank all of the choir, their conductor and their management  for: the warmth of their welcome; for their flexibility in allowing us to invade their hall with our advertising banner and literature – thereby raising vital awareness ; and of course – for the soaring beauty of their singing! It was a truly magnificent gesture from a very busy choir and we look forward to maintaining contact with them in the future as we at APP also soar!

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Robin's Madrid Marathon Challenge

When I signed up to run the Madrid Marathon, I was aware that Madrid was likely to be pretty hot in April, and the course was far from flat.  Most marathon websites have a map of the course – this one had a map, but also an altimeter!  This fear of a gruelling few hours in the Spanish capital spurred me on to undergo some very wintry runs in the early months of the year.  The training became easier and more determined as more and more kind friends and family donated to APP.

I was then made aware of the charity fund-matching scheme of my employer, Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT), so with JLT and many friends backing me to finish the pressure was on.

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APP Nominated as Sotheby's 2013 Charity

From Friday 26th July, 2013 Sotheby’s staff are to hold their Annual Staff Exhibition where the public can view and buy artwork created by members of Sotheby’s staff. The exhibition will continue, thereafter for 2 weeks, Monday to Friday, 9am till 5pm, at Sotheby’s London address: New Bond St Galleries, 34 -35 New Bond St, London, W1A 2AA

We are delighted to announce that APP has been nominated as its 2013 charity. 

This wonderful support for APP is undertaken in memory of a well – loved colleague: Alice Montagu Douglas Scott (Alice Gibson-Watt) who, sadly, died recently. May we encourage you all to visit  this wonderful exhibition during the 2 weeks it is showing this summer? …. perhaps buy reasonably priced artwork ? … or, if this is not possible, perhaps buy a beautifully produced 2013 Staff Exhibition sale catalogue from Sotheby’s, in which you will also find brief details of APP’s work?

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Friends of APP - Marathon Fundraising

Robin to run Madrid Marathon 28th April

“I am running a hot and hilly marathon in Madrid on Sunday 28th April this year. Just before Christmas a family friend of mine tragically died following a brief illness I had not previously heard of, Postpartum Psychosis (PP). She had had her first child, a beautiful girl, just 5 weeks beforehand.”

“I have since learned that Postpartum Psychosis is a mental illness characterised by the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms following childbirth. As you will see on the charity website, APP is a charity set up with the following aims: To provide up to date information to women who have experienced PP & their families, to facilitate research into all aspects of PP, to facilitate a peer support network for women & their families, to increase awareness of PP, its symptoms, management & impact among health professionals & the general public, and to advocate for improved services for women & their families.”

“With many people I know starting families, and with the sad loss of my friend, I feel that it is a very real and worthy cause which will help raise awareness of Postpartum Psychosis, and what can be done to prevent tragedy. Thank you so much for all your support, and thank you for any donations – I will be thinking of all of you who have supported the charity as I race around Madrid at the end of this month.”

APP's First Purple Wedding!

APP’s first purple wedding took place on 2nd January 2013, when Jo Thorpe married Will Grace at Holdsworth House in Halifax, West Yorkshire.  After recovering from PP in 2010, Jo married her partner Will, whom she met whilst they played music together in a band, with their beautiful daughter, Marya, as a bridesmaid.  With purple ties, purple flowers, purple jewellery, purple bridesmaids and a purple wedding cake it made a spectacular purple party!  Even some guests showed support by dressing in purple too.  It was a very special day, with many friends and family who travelled from far and wide.

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Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) Fundraiser

When asked why they climbed Everest, some mountaineers reply, “Because it’s there”. Alex Heron and his jolly bunch of paramotoring mates, John Casson, Henry Glasse and Brian Pushman, couldn’t be accused of a similar approach to LEJOG (Land’s End to John O’ Groats) since they’d already completed the reverse journey (JOGLE) by paramotor in 2009.Though blessed with good weather and favourable winds on that flight, they made the mistake of not using the epic adventure as a fund-raising opportunity. So …3 years later they embarked on the crazy notion of cycling the route in the opposite direction to raise money for various charities, not “Because it’s there”, but because, “We missed a great opportunity last time and we want to make amends”, and, secretly, “It’ll be a jolly good wheeze for a bunch of old codgers anyway”.

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Derby Fundraising & Awareness Event

Derby Cattle Market was the venue for an APP awareness raising & fundraising “Purple Party” in Sept. It was a very successful event… leaflets were distributed and APP magazines were handed out to those who requested information. We were pleased to engage with midwives and with those who had stories to tell of their postnatal mental illnesses. Huge thanks are due to Adrian Blamire and Steph and Geoff Brackpool (who have always been good friends of APP) who helped Sue Blamire and Heather Heron (APP trustees) throughout the day. It is no mean feat getting up at 5.30 in the morning to brave the Derby crowds. Thanks also are due to Mary Heron for her donation and also to all of those who donated items for sale. The total raised was an impressive £440! Excellent work everybody!

Brentwood 10K Run

A BIG thank you to Darren Maeer for running the Brentwood 10K & raising £370 for APP. We hope you really enjoyed it! Let us know your running time & if you’ve now got the bug for it & are planning any more runs. Well done Darren!