Half Marathon Hell for the Pieman PT Foundation

In February 2021, I tragically lost my friend, housemate and fellow pork pie enthusiast, Lewis Boyd-Hill. Along with Alex Flanders, I'm running the Great North Run, followed two weeks later by the Keswick Half Marathon, in memory of Lewis and to raise some money for the foundation set up by his family and friends.

Since meeting Lewis, he brought endless supplies of wit and side-splitting laughter to our Teach First friendship group, the little family in Thornaby that spent 3 happy years living in Sun Gardens on the banks of the Tees. With his annoyingly accurate impressions (ranging from Donald Trump to an unflattering portrayal of my southern voice expressing love for kebabs) and his absolute joy in entertaining whoever was in his presence, everyone wanted to know Lewis and be around him. He was the perfect friend and the perfect housemate, and I know he'd be cheering me on in my half marathon endeavours and waiting at the end to ask what takeaway we'd be getting for tea.

The Pieman PT Foundation set up in Lewis' name aims to empower people to thrive mentally, physically and emotionally. The focuses are education on the nature of the mind and how we might better navigate its complex emotions; promotion of a balanced approach to exercise; and reconnecting with our environment through our senses to be the best ways to affect positive change in our lives. Having half marathons to focus my mind and exercise efforts has had huge mental health benefits for me, and I can't emphasise enough how much this charity means personally. The Foundation is just getting going and every donation will have a huge impact in spreading the vital messages surrounding mental health and living a positive lifestyle.