Katie ran the London Marathon this year to raise money for the Maudsley Charity. A long-time staff member at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), she chose the Charity as she’s passionate about its work. 

Katie has worked at SLaM since she left university just over ten years ago, and is currently a trainee clinical psychologist at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London and SLaM.  

Reaching her goals

This was the first time she’s run a marathon, although her experience does include several half marathons. As her training ramped up to a whole new level of intensity, she felt daunted, but mostly excited at the opportunity.  

“The timing was just right. I had been thinking about running the London Marathon for a while, and when I saw the chance come up to run for the Maudsley Charity, I knew it was the right fit as it’s something I’m really passionate about.” 

Although she’s been in the midst of a demanding training course to become a clinical psychologist, the running provided a welcome focus and distraction. “I really enjoyed having the goals – both the distance and the fundraising target”.  

 She continues: “exercise is something I use to manage my mental health, and keep on top of things.” 

She joined a running club, Kent Athletics Club, which helped keep her motivated and stick to the training plan of 3-4 runs a week. “Most people there are training for something, and I’ve learnt a lot about how to cope when I have an injury, for example”.  

One of the stranger moments in her training was taking an ice bath after a long run: “It was not the most relaxing of experiences!” 

Seeing the difference the Maudsley Charity makes

Alongside her commitment to running, Katie’s fundraising went from strength to strength. By organising two pub quizzes, and auctioning off a football signed by Crystal Palace footballers, she has raised over £3,000. Many of her colleagues at SLaM supported her in her efforts, and her friends were keen to support a mental health charity.  

She has worked in some of the services funded by the Maudsley Charity, and seen first-hand the positive difference they make to beneficiaries: “Overall, it’s a really important charity in line with my values and career”.  

“The most amazing experience”

Katie said after she finished the Marathon: “It really was the most amazing experience, I loved every minute of it! I felt so proud to be out there wearing the Maudsley Charity jersey and to be supporting such a worthy cause. The crowd were incredible all the way around and I was so lucky to have lots of support from my amazing family and friends, who were dotted all around the course cheering me on. It gave me such a boost every time I saw them, not to mention the Charity’s cheer points!

Thank you to the Maudsley Charity for giving me the opportunity to have this fantastic experience and to raise money for a cause that is very close to my heart!

Thank you 

We’re incredibly grateful to Katie for running the Marathon to fundraise for the Maudsley Charity. The money she raised will be used to help make a difference to the lives of our patients and staff.