After lots of motivation and support from her daughters Louise Brooks successfully completed a 10k run and raised £311 for Andy’s Man Club, Samaritans and Mind.

Louise started running in the local park on Saturday mornings, then convinced by her daughters she started to run locally mid-week.

“I didn't tell anyone else I was doing the run, so literally the week before it was due to take place I told friends and colleagues within Calderdale Maternity Services and I was overwhelmed with sponsors.”

The run which took place in Saltaire, Bradford was not a charity event, but Louise decided that if she was going to do her first ever 10k run at the age of 56 then she would try raise money for a mental health charity.

What’s the hardest part about starting up? I have a border collie, Ruby, and as such have always walked a lot, I refuse to take lifts and always walk the stairs, but to start running at 56 and actually do my first ever 10k has been amazing and very empowering.  To run it with my daughters made it even more special, I actually kept up with them !

What’s the hardest part about starting up? The hardest thing about starting up was making myself run for the first time.  I remember it clearly, it was the Sunday morning the clocks changed on 28th October 2018, there was a covering of frost and absolutely nobody around.  I couldn't believe I'd actually got up and done it, I haven't stopped since.

Any comedy moments? My funniest moments have been whilst training with my youngest daughters, they kept me laughing and encouraged me.  My un-coordinated running outfits were the cause of much humour!

Fave running song? No favourite running song as the peace and quiet was so nice when I ran on my own.  When your running in the park runs you don't need music as the encouragement and atmosphere is so good.

How much better do you feel after a run mentally?
I feel great and look forward to my runs, I even have a matching outfit!

Any special reasons for those charities?
I have a very good reason for raising money for mental health.  My son has suffered from mental health problems and was extremely ill a few years ago.  The care we received from everyone at the Calderdale Royal Hospital was amazing but I feel the services within Mental Health are very poor.  I thank my stars every day that I have my son and he is doing well, I am the lucky one but there are so many other families that do are not as fortunate.  My son actually ran his first half marathon in Leeds in May 2018 and raised over £500 for McMillan Cancer.