My 'Ruby' Run - Fighting PTSD Together

Thank you for taking the time to read my story! This is a fundraiser in Honour of my amazing Dad, Mike ‘Ruby’ Curry who sadly passed 01/11/2017.

For those of you who know me, more than likely knew my dad. He was the life of the party, a friend to everyone, a pain in the A$$ to a lot, and an inspiration to those he knew, but most importantly he was my dad, my best friend, and my hero all in one. Sadly, we lost him mentally 2 years before his death, to the likes of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

A little back story on my dad, Mike ‘Ruby’ Curry: Dad was a passionate, hard-working, determined, and inspirational man. He was driven in every aspect of his life including his fitness. His entire personality was being a soldier, Royal Anglian, and his passion was the gym. Through the cards life dealt dad, he needed a project to focus on. This is when the UniKurve was born. A UniKurve is a fitness machine used for cardiovascular fitness, core training, and strength training. UniKurve machines are designed to condition the entire body. This later evolved into his gym located in Tetney, ‘Physbox’.

I thought me and my sister were his babies, but we were nothing compared to his UniKurve!

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. PTSD ruins lives if it doesn’t take them, and it is something I have found is not spoken about enough and not enough awareness is being raised, nor support available. Not just for the soldiers but for the families supporting them too. Sometimes the biggest battle our military fight is the one once they return home.

Although Dad didn’t lose his life to PTSD he did lose who he was. Having a man who was once my monster catcher, karaoke partner, bodyguard, homework helper, driving instructor, personal trainer, and the world's best hugger, at some points look straight through me like he had no idea who I was, felt like someone had completely crushed my heart.

If you knew my Dad, you knew he was very vain and loved to show off how physically strong he was at any given opportunity. However, he also loved to run. I, however, do NOT. He did marathons, 10k’s, half marathons, tough mudders and all sorts of challenges, all for charities close to home as well as giving him a goal to work towards. Running has never been something I have done, wanted to do or been good at. I used to hide in cross country to get out of it at school…so the fact I am here running is ironic. The most I can currently run is 5k, that, alongside breaking my knee last year, this seemed pretty impossible. However, I will be completing the ABP Cleethorpes Half Marathon on September 21st in my dad’s honour. (21km) I want to do this to feel close to him, to raise awareness around the stigma of PTSD and mental health, to say ‘Daddy I did it!’ when I cross that finish line, and most importantly because I want to push myself to do something so far out of my comfort zone, but something he loved so much. Please let your thoughts be with me on this date, I will need them!

I am doing this for NEL4Heroes (North East Lincolnshire 4 Heroes), a local charity that offers support and raises awareness for people like my dad and their families. Your donations will go towards local heroes, who sacrifice so much of their lives, so you can live yours. With it being a local charity, you will be able to see just how much we can help. All donations are highly appreciated, no matter the amount. Even just a share on social media, it is free and gets the word out.

It will be challenging but nothing worth having in life comes easy, Dad taught me that.

I have people in the armed forces still, who chose to stand by our side after my dad had passed. I am also doing this because they mean so much to me. You know who you all are, and this is for you as well! Thank you for always making us family, even without your brother.

My dad put everyone before himself, including strangers and if I can have half the selflessness he had, I will be proud of who I am becoming, as I hope he is.

I have the best support network around me, and I have the best angel up above me spurring me on. I want to make my Dad proud, so please support my journey because I am not only doing this for me, and dad, but for those who are still here and need our help.

Every day still hurts, but pain is either an excuse or a reason, it is time to make it my reason.

This is going to be a huge challenge for me, but Dad always believed in me, now it is time for me to do the same!

Please support me in supporting your local unsung heroes. They go and fight our countries battles, the least we can do is support them in fighting their own.

'Your ability to overcome adversity will surprise you. Don't take anything for granted.' - Mike Curry

Let’s go!

‘Ruby’ junior, over and out!