GARY JOINS TEAM MID KENT MIND!

Gary’s daughter Madison found purpose through Mid Kent Mind. Now he’s running the London Marathon to help the charity be there for the next family who needs it.

We are delighted to announce that Gary has joined Team Mid Kent Mind and will be running the London Marathon with us as his chosen charity! Read about why Gary runs, and why he will be raising money for us.

“For our family, Mid Kent Mind isn’t just a charity we support. It’s part of our story. Our daughter Madison was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, a processing disorder and anxiety. It was through Mid Kent Mind that she found not just support, but purpose.”

“It started during Covid. My eldest daughter, Madison, saw how the pandemic was affecting other people’s mental health. She began making wellbeing boxes for Mid Kent Mind to distribute to the people they support. Knowing she was helping others who might be feeling something similar to her own experiences gave her a real sense of purpose. Madison made such an impact that she was nominated for a Teen Hero award, had Radio 1’s Greg James broadcasting live from our house, and even met the Prince of Wales. Her confidence has grown enormously since. These days she’s in her final year at Brighton University, hoping to go into teaching. Madison still finds time to volunteer for Mid Kent Mind’s services, such as holiday art groups, freshers’ fayres, and take part in craft-and-chatter, food-and-mood and shuffleboard evenings. We couldn’t be prouder of her.”

“Running has always been my own way of looking after my mental health. Doing something I love while raising money for a cause that means so much to our family felt like the natural next step.”

“Training has to fit around family life and work. I’m not a gym person! Sundays are for a long run of around 10 miles, then two or three shorter runs during the week to stay injury-free – all whilst dodging potholes! We live on the edge of town, so within five minutes I’m out in the Kent countryside, which makes even an early start in the summer heat feel like a gift. I love getting out early, usually by myself, and finding that quiet, calm start to the day.  From November, training properly ramps up. I’ll be building the long run by roughly a mile a week until I’m up to 13 miles by the end of January, with my longest run before race day reaching 18–20 miles.”

“None of this happens without my family. My wife has been endlessly patient. She certainly could be called a “running widow”! She’s also part of the Mid Kent Mind running club herself. We have three daughters, and one of them used to cycle alongside me on my runs. She’s grown up a bit now, so I’m not sure she’d fancy it anymore!”

“If you’re wanting to take on a challenge yourself, but you’re nervous about asking people to sponsor you, here’s what I’d say: mental health affects everyone. It could affect you, the person next to you on the bus, your son, daughter, father, auntie, cousin.”

“Imagine what it would mean if someone you loved, going through a hard time, didn’t get the help they needed. Running a marathon, or doing any fundraising challenge, will likely be one of the days you remember forever. Why not use that day to help other people too?”

“My biggest worry on race day isn’t the distance or the fundraising; it’s staying injury-free. I’ve had to pull out of a marathon before because of injury, and you’re only ever one wrong step from turning an ankle. I respect the race and the distance. I just want to get to that start line.”