The reason behind the challenge: Why Jenny is fundraising for Kids Inspire
There's nothing more moving than receiving an email explaining why someone has chosen to fundraise for us. People support Kids Inspire for many different reasons, and every story touches us.
In this blog, we're spotlighting Jenny, a mental health nurse, mother and seasoned triathlete who is preparing to take on the Nottingham Outlaw. The challenge is no small feat: a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon, all in one day.
Jenny has seen first-hand the difference our support can make to families. She also shares her own personal experience and the reason she's so passionate about supporting children's mental health.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I live in Essex with my husband, John, and our two children, Amelia and Henry. I have been a Mental Health Nurse for 20 years and currently work in a Perinatal Mental Health Team.
I have loved my nursing career and feel lucky to have supported people through some of the most difficult times in their lives.
Outside of work, I love being outdoors. You'll usually find me running, cycling, lake swimming, walking or out in the countryside somewhere. I also love travelling with my family and am always looking ahead to our next adventure.
What is the challenge you’re taking on and what inspired you to choose it?
I will be attempting Outlaw Nottingham, which is a full-distance triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon, all in one day. The cut-off time is 17 hours.
I started doing triathlons around 13 years ago and love the variety of swimming, cycling and running. I've never attempted anything as big as this before, but I enjoy a challenge and seeing what I'm capable of. Being able to raise money for charity at the same time makes it even more worthwhile.
What led you to choose Kids Inspire as your charity?
Kids Inspire provides free mental health support for children and young people in our local area.
I know children who have received support from Kids Inspire, and I have seen how valuable that support has been for both them and their families. Children seem to be facing more pressures than ever, and I think it's important that they have somewhere to turn when they need help.
Why is supporting children's mental health so important to you?
My brother, Michael, died unexpectedly when I was 13 years old. At the time, I wasn't offered any support with my mental health and struggled to process what had happened.
Looking back, I think I would have benefited from the type of support that Kids Inspire now offers to children, young people and their families. Thankfully, there is much more awareness around children's mental health, than there was 30 years ago.
For me, sport became my coping strategy. I threw myself into running and exercise as a way of managing my feelings. It's still something that helps me today, which is probably one of the reasons I've ended up taking on a full distance triathlon.
What has your training journey been like so far?
I've been training for this event since January, which has involved plenty of dark, cold and wet mornings out on the bike or running. More recently, the challenge has been training through the heatwave.
The cycling has definitely been the hardest part. Spending hours on a bike saddle isn't always comfortable, and I'm not particularly looking forward to riding 112 miles on a sore bum!
What keeps me going is that I genuinely don't like giving up. If I commit to something, I want to see it through and finish what I started.
As a mental health nurse, what has your work taught you about the importance of early support?
Working as a mental health nurse has shown me how much childhood experiences can affect people later in life.
I've worked with many adults over the years who experienced difficulties when they were younger, and it often makes me wonder whether things might have been different if they had received the right support at the time. Giving children support when they need it can make a huge difference throughout their lives.
What would you like people to know about Kids Inspire and the difference their support can make?
Kids Inspire provides vital support for children and families when they need it most.
I've seen first-hand how much their work is valued by the families they support. Having someone to listen, understand and help children work through difficult feelings can make a real difference, not just to the child but to the whole family.
What would you say to encourage others to take on a challenge or fundraise for a charity they care about?
I'd say just go for it. Pick a challenge that pushes you a little outside your comfort zone and support a cause that means something to you.
Every little helps, and even small amounts of money can make a difference. I just wanted to do my bit and support a local charity whose work I really believe in. Knowing that the money raised will help children and families in our community makes all the training and effort feel worthwhile.
If Jenny's story has inspired you, you can support her fundraising on her JustGiving page.
Or, if her journey has inspired you to fundraise for Kids Inspire, we'd love to hear from you. Whether you'd like to take on a challenge, organise your own event or come up with a unique way to raise money, there's something for everyone. Our Fundraising Team is always here to support you.