Running 42km at 42 — for Youth Mental Health 💛

On 15th November, I’ll be running the Queenstown Marathon to raise money for Te Tahi Youth, a Youth Hub here in Ōtautahi Christchurch that provides vital support for young people. I’m fundraising specifically for their mental health services, because this is a cause that’s very close to my heart.

Every $70 raised provides a free counselling session for a young person — a safe space to talk, heal, and find hope.

I began struggling with my mental health when I was fifteen, which is when many people experience their first “bad patch.” I was incredibly lucky to have parents who could afford to get me the counselling I needed, but I know that’s not the case for everyone.

At 42, I still live with a chronic mental health condition, and I manage it through a mix of medication, counselling, and running. Over the past decade, running has become one of my greatest tools for wellbeing — it clears my head and keeps me grounded.

So this year, I’ve set myself a special goal: to run 42 kilometres at age 42, and to support young people who are facing their own mental health challenges.

Every dollar counts. Please consider donating — together, we can help make counselling more accessible and ensure young people don’t have to face their hardest moments alone.