Running the Distance for Suicide Prevention

My name is Kirstie Crawford and I'm running my first marathon - the Boston Marathon - on Monday, April 16, 2012 in support of Samaritans' life-saving suicide prevention services.

I've been a Samaritans' helpline volunteer for one year so I know firsthand the difference we make for the vulnerable people who are feeling lonely, isolated, despairing and suicidal who call our helplines more than 150,000 times every year. Running the marathon will be the biggest physical and mental challenge of my life but it's worth it to know that Samaritans will be able to continue to provide its programs to people at their time of greatest need. Your support will help Samaritans recruit, train and retain more people to answer calls on its helplines, deliver suicide prevention workshops to thousands of people, and provide grief support services to over 1,000 people each year who have lost a loved one to suicide.

For those of you that don't know me I'm a Scot living in Boston. My volunteering and passion for the Samaritans' mission of reducing the incidence of suicide, educating the public about suicide prevention and reducing the stigma associated with suicide led me to start working for the organization in October, 2011.

My friends know that I have spent the last 20 years working on a voluntary basis to reduce the stigma of mental health illnesses especially in the media. More recently I've volunteered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts too.

I'll also be running the Boston Marathon - the world's oldest annual marathon - in honor and memory of my Dad, Ian Crawford.  My dad passed away over 6 years ago due to a serious illness. He took up marathon running in his 40s and undertook many half marathons and full marathons. He finally completed the marathon in less than 3.5 hours. Truly inspiring!  

The reasons why my 14 other amazing Samaritans' marathon team members are running the distance for suicide prevention are also truly inspiring too. Their stories and the thousands of people Samaritans help every year will help me get through the training. I'm very grateful to the John Hancock Non-Profit Marathon Program for giving me the opportunity to take part in the Boston Marathon on behalf of Samaritans.

Every penny I raise can help save a life! Please support me to reach my fundraising goal of $5,000. It's easy to make a contribution simply click the big orange DONATE button on the top right hand side of this page. Together we can alleviate suicidal feelings. Thank-you!

 Please follow me on Twitter @kcbosmarathon

Check out my interview on Fox 25 News:

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/morning/life-saving-support-you-are-not-alone-20120102

www.samaritanshope.org