George's story
Fundraiser runs over 200 miles in under two weeks.
On 13 April 2025, George was in the French capital having conquered the Paris Marathon. Less than two weeks later, he had run over 200 miles back to England ready to take on the iconic London Marathon.
Why did he do it? To raise vital funds for NHS Charities Together, to highlight of the important of mental health support, and to show others that if an "average Joe" like him can achieve such goals, they can too.
Having struggled with his own mental health, George found running had huge benefits for both his mental and physical wellbeing.
He said:
“Like many men, I have struggled with my mental health and found myself in need of support quickly, but I couldn't get a timely appointment. I hope that my fundraising efforts will help others have easier access to mental health services.
“NHS Charities Together is a great cause for this purpose. While I was fortunate enough to afford private support, not everyone has that opportunity, so raising funds and awareness about mental health struggles is vital.
“My mental health initially declined after a period of grief, during which I questioned my self-worth and experienced a significant loss of self-confidence. I was in a difficult place, but therapy and talking about my feelings have helped me immensely.
“My mental health is an ongoing journey, but running has been beneficial. It relieves stress and offers numerous positive effects. When I'm running, I enter a flow state that allows me to clear my mind of any worries.
“My advice to anyone looking to start running or train for a marathon is to avoid pushing yourself too hard. I knew that if I created a rigorous routine, I wouldn’t enjoy it. I train three times a week, incorporating short, medium, and long runs. Running has given me both a hobby and a sense of purpose. As I've progressed, I’ve noticed improvements in both my mental and physical health.
“I want people to see that if an 'average Joe' like me can achieve this, they can, too. Just two years ago, I struggled to run 5k. This success hasn't come from any extraordinary strength, training, or diet; it has simply been a matter of persistence. If you stick with something long enough, you can achieve your goals.”
