TWO siblings have set themselves the colossal feat of running seven marathons in seven days to raise funds for a mental health charity in memory of their father who took his own life.
Tony and Nicola began running the length of the Thames Path on Sunday, May 12 at the start of Mental Health Awareness week. Their journey is expected to conclude on Saturday, May 18.
Brother Tony, who works at Severn Trent’s Longbridge Sewage Treatment Works is fundraising for MIND charity with his sister. So far the pair have raised £2,500, comfortably beating their £2,000 target.
The siblings have been inspired to raise money for the cause following their fathers passing in June 2020.
Father, Ian, a retired train driver left home just after the first national Covid lockdown was lifting and told his family he would be back in a couple of hours. Ian never returned and was found hours later by police at his favourite family beauty spot, having taken his own life at the age of just 64.
The inexplicable tragedy left his wife and children beyond devastated and baffled because Ian had never suffered from any depression that they knew of and never hinted at what might be on his mind.
“Dad was happy, outgoing and sociable and with no signs of any mental health issues. He loved life,” said Solihull-based Tony, a process scientist at Severn Trent.
“He was of the generation who just got on with things when times get tough. He didn’t tell anyone how he was feeling and must have suffered in silence.”
Tony and Nicola, both aged 29, are now running some 299km over seven consecutive days in honour of their fathers battle with mental health. The siblings have both completed previous marathons and have been training up to six nights a week for this gruelling ultra-marathon.
And much-loved Ian will be with his children during their emotional journey, every step of the way. “I’ll be carrying a photo of Dad with me and wearing a MIND vest,” said Tony.
“So far we have raised more than £2,000 for MIND which is fantastic, particular during the cost of living crisis. I’ve had so many people sponsor me at Severn Trent, everyone’s been wonderful.
“But as important as the fundraising is raising awareness. We want to let people know there is support available for anyone struggling with their mental health – they just need to talk.”
If you need to talk to someone about mental health support, call MIND on 0300 123 3393.
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/tonyandnicthamespathrun to donate.
