Runner Carly Wilkinson takes on TCS London Marathon for second time in aid of The Lighthouse Project Spalding

A woman who overcame struggles with mental health will be running a second marathon in aid of the charity that helped her.

Carly Wilkinson, 39, is taking on the TCS London Marathon in April to fundraise for the Lighthouse Project Spalding, a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people.

A past beneficiary of the charity, Carly was a resident in Karis House while struggling with mental health issues and has since transformed her life, becoming a paramedic.

Carly said: “The Lighthouse Project Spalding changed my life and helped me become the person I am today - a paramedic, business owner and a marathon finisher.

“That’s why I’m running again.

“To support the work they do helping young people like me to change their lives.”

Carly had been in a ‘dark place mentally’ and was using a wheelchair following an injury.

She added: “Before Karis, I had been getting help for my mental health but it was not working.

“I had reached exhaustion.

“Physically I could not do much - I wasn’t able to work at all.”

In her time at Karis House, both her physical and mental health improved significantly.

Carly first found her love of running while training to complete an Inflatable 5K in support of the charity.

From there, she kept running until the opportunity arose for her to run the London Marathon on behalf of the charity in 2019 - raising £4,000.

The charity is dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people in the community by providing housing, mental health support, and practical services.

Support Carly’s Challenge for Change by sponsoring her here

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