Scarlett's fund for charity

 Hi everyone! 
My names Scarlett I'm 19 and on the 27th of april 2025 I will be running the London Marathon to raise money for my incredible secondary school Townley Grammar. Originally I had plans to run this last year but unfortunately ended up injuring my knee and so apologies for anyone who’s read snippets before! 

Over the past four years I've had the fight of my life against mental illness but my incredible school never left my side and supported me through the darkest days of my life where I didn't see a point of being here. Mental health services are so underfunded and I suffered without any help for so long but my school fought so hard for me to have the help I now receive, they facilitated me retaking a year, supported me when I couldn't come in, visited me in hospital and were there for me every day - being the listening ear and showing me that there's a life beyond mental illness.

I formally left Townley around a year ago but I hold them in my heart every day for being the people that never gave up on me. The safeguarding and support team from Townley are my biggest inspiration in life - one day I hope to have 10% of the impact they’ve had on me on someone else.

Running has always been a massive release for me, even before I became unwell, a run would fill me with joy that nothing else could even half compare too. Being able to run was one of my main motivators to recover from my eating disorder and now that I’m out the other side I am able to enjoy running and fully experience that wonderful runners high!   

I owe my life to my school, I hope that by running the marathon in support of them I can give back even 1% of what they've done for me. Please keep fighting and hold onto the hope that life will get better because from someone who thought it never would - I promise you it does 

On a more practical note, my training this year is much broader than just running so as not to injure myself further. I’m placing less energy on pace and time and more on how I feel.

Ive made so much progress since I left Townley. When I was very unwell and hospitalised I genuinely thought I had no future but this May I’ll be going to Asia to volunteer, I’ll be starting university this September, I have a fantastic job I absolutely LOVE and most importantly I’m genuinely happy. 

Please let your loved ones know how much they mean to you and check in on the friend who hasn’t quite been themselves lately - you never know what someone is going through. My journey with mental health has been long and so difficult but it has given me a strength and appreciation for the good I never thought I’d have.

Please donate and share - the smallest amount can make the biggest difference x
 
Forever thankful for everyone’s love, kindness and support ❤️