A 25-YEAR-OLD woman has dedicated February to running ten kilometres every day to increase awareness of mental health issues and raise money for the charity MIND.

Susannah Vickers from Bedale, North Yorkshire, admits to being tempted to abandon the challenge while combating the freezing winter weather, particularly at 5.30 in the morning when she did some of her running.

But she’s already completed over 200km and is looking forward to finishing on Monday February 29.

Because it’s a leap year Susannah, who works in a building society must do an extra ten kilometres but she’s hoping it will help her reach her fund raising target of £2,000.

“I have had friends and family affected by mental health problems, it does hit a lot of people and unlike so many other health issues people do feel sometimes there is a bit of a stigma, often they don’t want to discuss it.

“So as well as raising the money I wanted to encourage a conversation about mental health and try and promote more understanding.

“If someone has a broken leg there is often so much more support and help, but mental health is regarded differently so it is important to challenge this,” she added.

Susannah insists she is not a dedicated athlete and although she has completed two half marathons in the past she admits sticking to ten kilometres a day has been gruelling.

“It’s doing it every day when sometimes you really don’t want too. I must admit about two weeks in it became really hard, I did a few runs at half past five in the morning and it was cold and wet and windy and it was miserable, I really did not want to get out of bed.

“But it’s so worthwhile so I am not complaining too much, and I’ve been really overwhelmed by the support people have given me.”

MIND say one in four people will suffer from depression, anxiety or other mental health problems at some time in their lives. Last week the Duchess of Cambridge launched Children’s Mental Health Week with calls for more support and this week a new taskforce on mental health set out a detailed five year plan to improve services.

Susannah has raised £1,250 so far,anyone who would like to support her and the fundraising go to www.justgiving.co.uk/10kaday