Why I donated to Mind

WHY I donated...

...to Mind. Sophia Badger walked from London to Rome in memory of two friends who sadly took their own lives and in doing so raised thousands of pounds and vital awareness around mental health

In 2018, in the space of seven weeks, I contacted the parents of my friends to try and give back in my life. two friends from different parts of and they were so supportive and glad When people found out why I was my life – one from University and one something good could come from a doing the walk they were incredibly I met travelling – took their own lives. tragic situation. Mind was taken aback supportive and I was amazed by how

It was such a difficult thing to that I was going to walk 1,300 miles many people shared their own mental process but I felt this instant desire but once they knew I was physically health stories with me. I had a blog to talk about it and to do something. and mentally up to it they got behind and was on Instagram a lot, talking I wondered if I could have talked to me along with my friends and family. about the walk and mental health. them more and I decided that it was I decided to add on 134km and start Some days were amazing, like the important to start speaking about from home and on July 1, 2019 I shut day I crossed the Swiss Alps into Italy mental health in a more every day the door to my flat in North London underneath a bluebird sky, but others sense. I needed to do something and started walking to Rome! The were hard. I tried to be honest and to facilitate that conversation and route took me through France, across not sugar coat the struggles I had and that’s where the idea of walking from the Swiss Alps and into Italy. that resonated with people. London to Rome was born. The walk taught me so many things, Walking into Rome I felt so many

Browsing in a bookshop, the title among them to explore places off the emotions – disbelief that I’d got there, Via Francigena leapt out at me. The beaten track. But the most amazing accomplishment, but also sadness. I subtitle was ‘Canterbury to Rome’ and thing was the hospitality I received was enjoying the places, the people being half English, half Italian, I was – from B&B owners, monks and and the things I’d learnt about myself intrigued. I realised it was a pilgrimage nuns and people who welcomed me so it was bittersweet. Arriving at St. that passes close to where my mother into their homes. I even stayed in a Peters Square, knowing where I’d was born. I’d recently lost my French manor house, with an come from, was overwhelming. beloved grandmother eccentric lady who was I raised over £15,000 and I’m so and the walk felt like a Talking is the still hunting wild boar grateful to everyone who donated way of reconnecting with a part of my first step in her 80s! I always felt like someone and supported me. I never dreamed I could raise heritage I felt I’d Mind’s mission is to make sure that was looking out so much. It was lost through no one faces a mental health problem alone. As well as providing advice for me and it’s the icing on losing her. and support to empower people, it something I want the cake. campaigns to improve mental health services, raise awareness and promote understanding. mind.org.uk