Tony ran the Edinburgh 10k last month to raise vital funds for Back Onside after receiving support through our 1-1 counselling service. 

Here’s Tony’s story:

I’ve been wanting to do something to give back to Back Onside since finishing my second round of counselling with them. When I heard that I could run the Edinburgh marathon as a charity entry and hopefully raise some money, I decided it was something I wanted to do. Having seen first-hand how much of a difference the work Back Onside does makes, it’s important to me to do what I can to give back. 

It wasn’t a smooth journey to the finish line, however. Eight and a half weeks before the event, I fractured his ankle in a fall, which prevented me from running in preparation. But I didn’t give up- I walked the distance a few times to ensure that my ankle could at least hold up for the 10k. The actual run was challenging, especially running 2km up the Royal Mile. Despite all the setbacks, I was thrilled with my finishing time of 1h13. Crossing the finish line was an incredible feeling, knowing I had completed the distance, especially after the difficulties I faced during training.

My advice to anyone struggling with their mental health would be, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. There is always help available, please don’t bottle up your worries. If you notice someone around you showing signs of struggling with their mental health, being there to support them and being understanding is so important. 

“It’s in us all to create a society where men know their worth beyond materialistic things. We need to create a world where men and women are valued and know that’s it’s important that they are here.”

Back Onside relies on donations, fundraising, and sponsorships from people like us to continue its work. They receive no government funding, so if you are in a position to contribute, please donate generously. Your donation could help more people like Tony receive the support they need. Click here to donate.