Sutton on Sea man Dan's marathon task for MIND

A running enthusiast is this year tackling the famous London Marathon to raise funds for a mental health charity very close to his heart.
Dan Poynton is running the London Marathon for MIND.Dan Poynton is running the London Marathon for MIND.
Dan Poynton is running the London Marathon for MIND.

Dan Poynton,22, from Sutton on Sea will be taking on the daunting 26-mile course around the capital for the first time and is hoping to raise at least £1,700 for mental health charity MIND.

MIND is a national organisation which aims to raise awareness about mental health - and supports people suffering from anxiety, depression and loneliness.

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Dan has extra incentive to cross the finish line because he has suffered from anxiety and some family members have their own mental health issues.

He said: “MIND is a cause close to my heart after suffering personally with anxiety and having watched a number of close family members battle their own mental health issues.

“Two of my school friends have sadly taken their own lives through mental health related issues and as a result of this, MIND was the obvious cause to get behind when I was looking to run the London Marathon and raise some money for them in the process.

“MIND hasn’t helped me directly but me and my family have suffered from anxiety in the past.

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“I have received help from charities that provide the same sort of support that MIND offers. This type of support has really, really helped me and it’s great to keep these types of charities going so other people can get the same vital support that others in the past 
haven’t had.”

It is Dan’s toughest running event to date although he recently took part in the Wolf Run in Leicestershire - a 10k ‘mud run’.

Dan is a fitness enthusiast as he also has a keen interest in cricket and plays for Sutton on Sea.

He admits that having something to train towards does help with his own anxiety.

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He said: “I have found that exercise in general has been such a good activity to 
combat anxiety.

“The challenge of running and taking on other sports gives my mind a real focus on a goal, rather then the mental health problems I may be dealing with at that particular time.

“I have always challenged myself , whether it’s getting my degree, getting a new job or training for an event like the London Marathon.

“Although these challenges put pressure on me in one way, the sense of achievement when I complete one makes all the effort worth while.

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“I am convinced these challenges do need a positive outlook in to order to 
complete them.”

Dan has been putting his heart and soul into this year’s marathon and began his training last November.

After a lot of hard work and effort, he has already covered a 17 mile training route.

That still, leaves him short of his marathon target but with training going so well, he hopes to complete the full London course in three and 
half hours - or less.

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Dan is also hoping to raise as much money as possible so every penny is helpful.

• If you would like to help Dan in his charity mission for MIND, you can contact him via email: poynton53@
outlook.com.

Alternatively, give him a call to donate on: 07794 411449.

Donations are also being collected at Poyntons Shoes in Mablethorpe High Street.

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Follow the Leader for the latest updates after Dan has completed his 
marathon.