On November 1st, I will be back on the start line for the second ever time and participating in undoubtedly one of the most special races on the planet - the New York City Marathon. Right now, it’s hard to put into words what this means to me, and even the more difficult knowing it’s in honour of my biggest supporter, my big brother James. It's been over 6 years since I was last in New York, and 6 years since I lost my brother James to suicide in 2020. New York has always held a special place in my heart, as it was one of our favourite places. We used to visit as a family at Christmas, and I used to look forward to it all year as I knew I'd be able to spend it with him.

Every year we used to promise each other that one day we would go to the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square. In 2019, without realising it would be our last visit together, we finally went. This was one of the happiest days of my life. My most treasured memory was spent with him squished amongst thousands of people with his silly (annoying) air horn that he had somehow acquired, watching the fireworks light up the skies above Central Park, dancing together and looking silly in our rain ponchos. Little did I know that James had already been suffering silently with his mental health, but that night he was one of the happiest, silliest versions of himself, and I'd like to think that, just for a moment, he had forgotten about his troubles. I miss him terribly, he is my life’s biggest loss. This is why I'm running the New York City marathon for Movember. I never thought I'd be strong enough to return to New York, but I can't imagine a better reason to than by honouring him in this way and running 26.2 miles through the streets where we once walked through together and where so many of our fondest memories were made.

James was a huge advocate for mental health and fought hard to break down the stigmas surrounding men’s mental health right up until the day that he passed. I miss him with every sense of my being, he was my rock and I think about him every day. This is why I will be running for Movember. Movember have revolutionalised the conversation around men’s mental health, making it less of a taboo, and providing the resources to help combat a rise in suicides, and to give the next man the second chance that my brother didn’t have. I am incredibly proud to be representing Movember in honour of James, and for all that they stand for. Please consider donating to help support me in my journey to New York 2026, any donation no matter how small could make a difference in someones life.

Globally, the rate of suicide is alarmingly high, particularly in men. Too many men are putting on a brave face, keeping their feelings to themselves and struggling in silence. Lets stop men dying too young.