Marianne

Hello! My name is Marianne and I am fundraising on behalf of Mind UK by taking on the Tough Mudder 15k challenge on September 22nd, 2024. Firstly I did this as a personal challenge to my fitness, sparked by my new found love of boxing in January 2023. Training 2-3 times a week and recovering from weeks of socialising and work means that I’ve now dropped a dress size and feel very committed to fitness in my life! Secondly, Mind UK has cropped up in my life a few times the past 2 years and when I found out that a wonderful musician friend of mine, Chris, had passed away it made sense to dedicate this challenge to him.

If you can donate any amount or share my page and his story, or listen to his music even as I find myself doing often these days, I would be most humbled and appreciative. Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to my charity of choice. Thanks so much for your support!

Here is a longer excerpt that I wrote in response to the news of Chris’ death and his own link with Mind UK:

13th feb 2024:

I’m shook. A talented young bright man, my friend and ex-bandmate has departed this world. He was always so bubbly, literally brimming with life. His name was Chris and like his performance persona his name changed with each flavour and reinvention that took his fancy. Chris was a remarkable and wonderful human being playing many instruments excellently; cello, guitar, bass, voice, rapping and songwriting. He lifted you up even on a chance momentary meeting. I’ll remember those - like his unique way to get someone to take a flyer to this awful club we worked for. On an empty cold night ‘ZAP ZAP POW - You’ve been shot, heal yourself with a FLYER!’ brandishing a leaflet into their hands. The few people around always smiled and sometimes joined in. It reminded me that anything can be made into fun.

Chris and I also played in a band back in our college days, reaching a height of the local Guilfest 2008 (or so!) He brought energy to those around him and reading the social media comments I can see so many people nostalgically remember him in much the same way. Over the years we crossed paths intermittently and always a happy and pleasant surprise, like the time he walked into my workplace to advertise him and his lovely wife's music lessons. 

For me, 2024 has been a tricky one. Off to a bumpy start, Chris’ struggle with depression sadly took him wholly and that is the second person to have befallen mental illness this past year that I know. I feel deeply moved to dedicate this debut Tough Mudder run to Chris and those struggling with ill mental health who will need the services of Mind UK; a wonderful charity who I wish all the best. I am participating in Tough Mudder as a challenge to my increasing fitness and am fundraising and donating Mind UK for all those whose mental health needs support to bounce back to their fullest richest selves.

You never know what little word, action or gesture in passing is remembered by others. I recall many from Chris and his stories are eternalised in his music. He is an inspiration as a musician and a storyteller, songwriter and performer. All these wonderful things in life that I love I hope to do to my best inspired and he contributes to my motivation.

On September 22nd 2024 I’ll be trawling through mud and hauling myself out of freezing cold ice plunges, among many other obstacles! I am motivated by you, as you share and contribute. I am motivated by Chris - an individual who endured many challenges amongst a life blessed by music, family, love, travel and what he was best at - making a lasting impression.

If you’re able to donate to my humble fundraiser I would be most grateful and I’d be so proud to present this to Mind UK. If you can support in other ways like sharing to your friends and family or networks that would also be much appreciated.

PS to put into context I have never done a race or obstacle course race like this before. I have been training in boxing since January 2023, managed to squeeze out 52 burpees and now ‘lookee-here she thinks she’s a ninja!’... Well, 2 years ago I had a business coach named James Boardman. A happy name drop - this wonderful coach inspired me to seriously think about my health, goals, future and challenge myself. He inspired this whole journey and this is where it has led me.

If you would like to observe the hilarity that would be me and my teammate Pete, soaked in mud, shivering and jumping off mounds of mud into more mud - contact me to get details of the observers tickets. AKA the luxury lounge mini-festival vibe whilst thoroughly laughing at all the participants.

This is Marianne signing off now - human with a heart, musician, teacher, Tough Mudder hopeful and as always, entertainer!

MUSIC: find Chris and his voice on instagram and streaming platforms under ‘Lava Kiss’ @ilovelavakiss Submarine Dream and ‘Chis Willow’ Songs of New Beginnings