A Cumbrian man and his daughter will be taking part in this year’s Great North Run, raising money for a mental health charity in the process.

Kevin and Holly Sim, of Carlisle, are hoping to raise £300 for the charity via Just Giving ahead of the run on September 10, 2023.

Kevin, who runs Cumbrian Cheesecake in the city, said: “I have not really got a target for raising money for Mind, but I thought I might as well try and help fund this fantastic charity.

“The majority of my running is based around mental health and is the reason I run, and my main drive of motivation to push myself after suffering from depression in 2018 and 2019, which nearly completely derailed my life in a fog of self-destruction.

“I was lucky as I had the support from my wife and I opened up.

“Others are not as lucky and need more help from charities like Mind.

“Now I am in a great place with my mental health, I always want to support Mind for the great work they do for others that need it.”

To those who may be struggling with their mental health, Kevin said: “Please remember, it’s okay to not be okay.

“Please check in on that friend of family member, and if anything seems a bit off, the it is better to be red faced and get it wrong than just leaving it.”

This is not their first run, however, as the duo completed a village run in Wetheral earlier this year.

"We try to do a run every month together, just for the build up for the Great North Run."

He continued: "I run, but I wouldn't consider myself a runner, it's still hard work for me, I'm not naturally a runner.

"Up until recently I was also quite overweight but I've lost 3.5 stone and it's gotten me into better shape.

"The whole reason we do it is because we're all very aware of mental health issues, it's more just wanting to do this together and raising the awareness of the work that Mind does, there are a lot of charities that do good work but this one is close to our hearts."

To visit their fundraising page where donations can be made, click here.