My Story

Join me and MIND in the fight for mental health. We won’t stop until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect.

Even though 1 in 4 people have mental health problems, most of us don’t get the help we need.

This has to change.

Hello everyone, I'm Dawn, also known as the PinkBird, 53 years young and a private Life Coach/Counsellor and a Running Coach. I have worked for over 20 years, supporting people with their mental health, wellness journeys, trauma's and crisis's. During this time, one of my roles, I have been very fortunate to have, is my volunteering role as a counsellor for MIND.   Here I help support service users experiencing mental health problems and help them to navigate a way back to their normal live. Its very rewarding and a privilidge to help.

MIND has been in my personal life since I was 16 when I first experienced mental health problems. MIND was there to support and help me non judgementally to understand what my mental health issue's were and to make me feel safe.

MIND made me feel empowered, worthy and hopeful.  I have since suffered on and off from depression/eating disorders/anxiety & suicidal tendencies. I still turn to MIND to help me through my dark periods and they are always there for me.

Fundraising and giving back to MIND is something that I have committed to for many years and it is an absolute MUST and a privilege.  

COMMITTING TO RUNNING 1 MARATHON FOR MIND WAS QUITE SCARY. I DIDN’T WANT TO LET THEM DOWN! IT WAS WITHOUT A DOUBT TO DATE, MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE & COMMITMENT TO THEM! I SUCCEEDED IN RUNNING THE YORK MARATHON IN OCTOBER 2023 - I WENT FROM A NON RUNNER WHO SMOKED IN APRIL 2023, TO RUNNING (AS A NON-SMOKER), A MARATHON IN JUST 6 MONTHS!   

I HAD TO PULL OUT OF THE LONDON MARATHON 2024 OWING TO A SEVERE INJURY. MIND ALLOWED ME TO KEEP MY PLACE FOR 2025.  SO, I AM RUNNING YORK AGAIN, JUMPING OUT OF A PLANE & RUNNING THE GREAT NORTH RUN

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME IN TWO WAYS ?????

(1) Your financial support will help encourage me to keep digging in and pushing through all my aches, pains & blisters and will also help me to continue my commitment every week to the vital endless hours of running & training that is necessary to get me over the two finishing lines for MIND!

(2)Your kind words of encouragement will also be greatly appreciated.  If you see me running in and on the outskirts of Retford, please feel welcome to shout out 'Come On PinkBird' and a few encouraging words of support.  You won’t mistake me, my hair is pink and I’m always dressed in pink.

MIND is there to fight mental health. For support, for respect, for you.

MIND helps change minds across England and Wales by making mental health an everyday priority. By standing up to the injustices – in healthcare, in work, in law – which make life harder for those of us with mental health problems.

MIND supports minds – offering help whenever you, your family, colleagues, strangers, friends, or neighbours might need it through their information, advice and local services.

MIND connects minds. Bringing together an unstoppable network of individuals and communities – people who care about mental health to make a difference.

Join me and MIND in the fight for mental health. Let’s not stop until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect!