Officer to complete third marathon in a month for Mind

A POLICE officer who knows first-hand what it’s like to suffer with depression hopes to raise £2,000 for Mind when he pounds the streets of London in his third marathon this month.

PC Iain Perry, who is based at Sawston Police Station, started running shortly after being diagnosed with depression in 2015.

After a few runs and with a few miles in the bank, the 50-year-old noticed the fresh air and exercise were acting as a form of therapy by helping him to relax.

Two years on and Iain set himself the challenge of running three marathons in a month – Manchester (April 2), Brighton (April 9) and London (April 23) to raise funds for mental health charity, Mind which has supported him throughout his journey.

Iain joined the Metropolitan police in 1989 in the footsteps of his older brother, Michael, who he looked up to. Tragically six weeks before Iain’s wedding in 1993, Michael, 36, died on duty in a road traffic collision.

It was with Michael’s family wishes that Iain went ahead with the wedding without his best man and brother beside him and put the death to the back of his mind for more than 20 years.

Throughout those years Iain continued to lock away any negative experiences or troubles and hid behind a jovial mask until one day he found himself stood on the platform of Cambridge Railway Station prepared to take his own life.

Although overwhelmed by the dark thoughts racing through his mind, the thought of not being around to see his two teenage children grow up took Iain back home where he finally broke down and sought help.

Iain said: “I just got to a point where I couldn’t cope anymore. I was so used to blocking things out and laughing things off, being the office joker instead of dealing with them that I couldn’t see a way out which is when I found myself at the station.

“Without the support from my children, wife, colleagues and Mind, I probably wouldn’t be here today.

“During my darker periods, my running was my escape. Even now when I need some quiet space, I put on my trainers and take myself off. Therefore I wanted to combine something that helps me with raising money to help other people in my situation.

“There’s often a lot of stigma associated with mental health and if my experiences can encourage someone else to get support then it’s worth sharing.”

Iain is asking people to give up their takeaway coffee for one day and donate £2.50 to Mind instead. To donate, click here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/threemarathons-inonemonth