Before meeting Kate I knew very little about mental health.
But I realised very quickly that most people go through tough times. I did too. So I was very surprised to find out that vital help is limited, and often too slow or simply ineffective.
For those that don't have a place to call home, for those that self-medicate, for those who made mistakes, for those suffering from depression and for all of those who rarely have the luxury to be happy and confident, it seems like there is no support, no option, no future.

Aspire Oxfordshire has a pragmatic approach to all of these issues. People are actually supported towards housing and employment. This is a fantastic and very much needed model that is saving and changing lives through mentoring, counselling, education, debt and financial support, sport activities, work experience.

Kate is very fond of the Aspire team and has gained confidence in her abilities and in our future: "life is good" as she now often says.

This year I will be running, cycling, swimming, climbing, getting muddy, saving goals, and who-knows-what-else in support of Aspire Oxfordshire.
You will definitely see me at the Rough Runner on the 24th of May and the Tough Runner in Cornbury Park two weeks later, but this is just a fraction of what I have in mind.
Many of those miles will be done with Kate and the lovely friends who have greatly supported us.

If you can make a small donation to Aspire Oxfordshire please do.
You will be donating to a local charity, so your money will not be going into some CEO over-the-top salary.
You will be giving hope and help empowering the most vulnerable within our community.

Thank you, it means a lot!

Laura Bonaventura