Our 'Fab Four' running this year's Royal Parks Half!
For this year's Royal Parks Half marathon we have four amazing runners taking part: Pete, Emma, Julie and Jessie!
All four are taking part in this year's half marathon, which takes place on Sunday 13th of October in central London. It 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 - in all their autumnal glory!
Pete chose to support APP, "because when I was expecting my first child, my work colleague Rachel was also expecting in the same year. Rachel and I seemed to hit our big life events at the same time - marriage and children. My son was born in May and her son was born in December. Both heathy little lads but unfortunately Rachel was hit by Postpartum Psychosis soon after he was born. This really hit home for me and after seeing her recovery I could see the good work APP does."
Visit Pete's JustGiving page here.
Julie is supporting APP as she says, "For many women, the arrival of a baby is a real challenge but for some of them, like me, it can turn into the most traumatic and painful experience, leaving you feeling so ashamed, guilty, anxious and desperate that your mind makes you think that the only way out is to take your own life. I did not suffer from Postpartum Psychosis myself but experienced what we call postpartum depression. I was not diagnosed when I had my first baby, if I had, I would not have had to go through a much more severe depression with the arrival of my second baby, my beautiful little girl. Thank God, I asked for help and was finally hospitalised for 3 long months. It was hard to be away from my family. I had to remind myself everyday that it was for the best that I was not with my little baby girl, that I was missing all these moments in her brand new life but yes, it was ! I fought really hard, I took medication, spoke to a psychiatrist on a daily basis and now look at me, a proud Mummy of two, running a half marathon ! Never felt so good before in my life: all this work was worth it! Please donate to this charity so women like me can be brought back to life and enjoy fully the wonderful gift of love and motherhood."
Visit Julie's VirginMoneyGiving page here.
Jessie is supporting APP because "APP has helped me over the past 6 years in my recovery from Postpartum Psychosis, a severe but treatable mental illness experienced a few weeks after having a baby." and says "I have been training hard for race day - from barely being able to run up the stairs to 13.1 miles - it has been quite a feat! But knowing that I am raising awareness of Postpartum Psychosis and money for APP has kept me going."
Visit Jessie's JustGiving page here.
Emma chose to support APP through finding out about PP in her work as a Consultant and Practitioner Psychologist at Jigsaw Clinic London.
Visit Emma's JustGiving page here.
Please support our 'fab four' and donate what you can via their online donation pages!
With huge thanks to Pete, Emma Julie and Jessie for all their hard work - we wish them all the best with their training and hope they have lots of autumn sunshine on 13th October!
