Noonies Challenge for the Curtis Palmer Programme

Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of the Curtis Palmer Program. I have set a modest target of £2, 000 so please get behind me. I aim to complete a half marathon in February, in fact I have now done this, and in a new PB. I will do my first ever full marathon in Brighton on the 7th of April and then a mind blowing Ultra Marathon on the 13th of July. This is 100km (62 miles) and I am doing it non-stop. All this in 140 days. This is going to be tough challenge but the pain will be worth it in order to raise money for the CPP. This charity deserves every penny we can get for them. Here is what the Curtis Palmer Project is all about.

The CPP was set up by serving and retired Police Officers and Police Staff for serving and retired Police Officers and Police Staff in memory of PC Curtis Palmer from Dorset Police. They help the physically ill/injured and those suffering with stress, anxiety, depression and their mental health wellbeing. Prevention is far easier than cure so they want to help officers create a work-life balance before they break and for those officers retired, a better quality of life. CPP is run by 3 unpaid Co CEOs (All voted as Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society due to their expedition leading experience with military charities and emergency services charities) and they have 4 Ambassadors. The CPP bases all its activities on the NHS 5 steps to better mental health wellbeing those being.

1. Socialise with others.

2. Physical exercise.

3. Learn new skills.

4. Team work/help others.

5. Mindfulness concentrate on the now.

The CPP help through a stepping stone approach, signposting service users to free short online courses in mental health wellbeing. Then running a 10 day (Mon to Fri, 40 mins a day, for 2 weeks, via Zoom) breathing and cold water immersion course (Designed to help with stress, anxiety, depression and mental health wellbeing)

Then they run outward bound activities like

Monthly wild swim club from March to November.

Couch to 5K running group.

Surfing wellbeing weekends.

Mental Health wellbeing weekend breaks.

They also run Outward bounds and confidence building weekends with events including canoeing, rafting, climbing, mountain biking, stand up paddle boarding, mountain walking, wild camping etc.

In 2024 they are sending 12 service users sailing on a tall ship around Devon and Cornwall. They will live and sleep on board the Johanna Lucretia Topsail Schooner. Also in 2024 the CPP are sending 14 service users to Norway where they will be guided in a walk over mountains for 3 days before canoeing down the Fjords for 5 days while wild camping.

The Curtis Palmer Project Ambassadors are Lissie Harper MBE, Helen Barnet (Former Met Police PC who was shot on duty), Inspector Tom Dorman (Who despite losing a leg is still a serving Police Officer) and Sgt Lawrence East who was the 2023 Police Federations National winner of the Inspiration in Policing Award. Now that is some endorsement when you have people like this on board.

So, as you can see the Curtis Palmer Project is an exceptional charity and do so much for so many people and their moto is very fitting 'Protecting Those That Protect Others'. Having been diagnosed with Serious Anxiety Disorder myself a few years ago, I know only to well how Mental Health can impact you. For me I turned to fitness and with the guidance of my Personal Trainer, Jack, I have lost over 7 stone in weight. I am embarking on a challenge that I thought was impossible a couple of years ago but with the help and support of some special people, I am now ready to do this so please, please give generously to support this charity. Your money will go straight to them. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the words of encouragement I have received. Noonie.