Shoreham & District Mental Health Association
Registered Charity Number 1114956 - Limited Company Number 5818997

Archives - April 2005 - London Marathon


Spotlight - June 2005
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Sprinting forward to a better quality of life.

Stereotypes and stigma sometimes prevent people with mental health illness from leading a 'normal'life. Even without prejudice some people just become too unwell to carry out daily tasks. But not Ryan Campbell. On Sunday 17th April the 23 year old from Shoreham-by-Sea completed the London Marathon in five and a half hours. Three years previous he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was admitted to hospital.

After leaving hospital, Ryan, who was 20 at the time, moved into supported accommodation. He received help from The Old School House in Shoreham and is now living in his own flat and able to cope with his illness. Last September he was referred onto the Pathways to Work project, a scheme to help people with mental health problems access college courses and find employment. He started a sports instructors' course which he was sadly unable to complete as he became unwell again. Since this setback, however, he has been determined to maintain his mental health and fitness by using the gym, weight training, circuit training and regular jogging.

The Marathon is not the only run Ryan has done. Last year he joined clients from the centre, staff and volunteers on a 10k run at Littlehampton and later completed the 10 mile Great South Run at Portsmouth. Several people at The Old School House applied to run in the Marathon this year but Ryan was the only one successful in gaining a place.

Gaynor from the Old School House said "Ryan has worked hard and achieved a great deal over the last year. Ryan's family and friends travelled to London to support and cheer him on. We are all very proud of him for taking part and raising £600 for Shoreham and District Mental Health Association, known as the Old School House. The money raised will go towards the cost of purchasing new premises as we have outgrown our present building."t

Article from 'Spotlight' June 2005

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