Manchester Marathon for Grace Elizabeth Nevens

As many of you will already know, in November 2024, the world lost a very special person: Grace Elizabeth Nevens.

When I moved to Morpeth age 6, Grace and her sister Lucy lived directly across the road from me. I still remember my parents telling me to go and make friends with the little girl who stood in the downstairs window at number 17. Sure enough, Grace quickly became my childhood best friend. We were inseparable.

Grace was always hilarious and the true definition of unique. To this day, I’ve never met anyone like her. Together, we were always full of energy and mischief - much to the (no doubt) annoyance of many of our neighbours, Lucy, Sharon and my own Mam… but all things considered, I think we were quite well behaved. After all, give us 10 minutes with Animal Crossing and we’d be sat, heads buried in our DS, chatting absolute garbage.

As kids, we dreamed of opening a walking stick shop together (a perfectly reasonable ambition for a pair of nine-year-olds, obviously). A couple of years ago at a party, I asked her if she remembered our plan, and she said, “Of course, Kaka—I’m still serious about it!”

I say all this, because Grace had a light that could fill any room, and those who knew her, and even those who just saw her once or twice will know this. All my memories of Grace are of her with a big smile, but sadly, this doesn’t mean she didn’t have her own struggles.

Because the thing is, mental health issues don’t discriminate. They can affect anyone, at any time, and they desperately demand so much more of our attention and understanding. We need to do so much more, whether it’s research, support, or simply raising awareness to ensure that no one has to suffer alone.

In Grace’s memory, I will be running the Manchester Marathon on April 27 to raise funds for Mind—a charity that Grace volunteered for. Mind works tirelessly to support those living with mental health challenges, their loved ones, and provides continuous awareness to break the stigma of mental health disorders.

As someone who has personally struggled to various degrees with my own mental health, I understand just how impossible it can feel to face the day when you’re stuck in your own head. I know just how easy it is to slip into a negative spiral of feeling like you don’t belong, and how a small feeling of sadness can escalate into a crisis.

For me, running has been an absolute lifeline for calming my thoughts. The miles offer so much peace, providing a rest bite from the thoughts that can weigh so heavily on so many of us, at so many different points of our life.

If you’re able to contribute to this fundraiser, no matter the amount, it would mean the world to me.

Even if you can’t donate, let’s keep Grace’s kind hearted nature alive by actively being there for one another. Check in on your loved ones. Ask if they’re okay. And if you’re struggling, please know that you’re never alone.

This one’s for you, Grace. I’ll have a pint for you on the finish line and I promise to always be there for Lucy.

Your friend, Kate x