Devon mum running the London Marathon for her two boys and to thank charity Barnardo's
Kerensa Sydenham has joked 'Plymouth is all hills' after her preparation
A Devon mum of two is among the runners at today's London Marathon - as she raises money for Barnardo’s.
Kerensa Sydenham, 33, suffered a severe case of post-natal anxiety after the birth of her first child Freddie and used the charity's support for her second child Finley - who was born as the country entered lockdown.
Freddie is now eight and Finley five, but Kerensa says she hasn’t forgotten how difficult those early days of motherhood were.
She received pre-natal support at Four Greens Family and Wellbeing Hub in Plymouth and after her babies were born went along for them to be weighed.
"When I was suffering anxiety in those first few weeks of being a mum the women at Barnardo’s were so supportive, friendly and easy to talk to. In fact, it was one of the workers at Barnardo’s who suggested I take up running, so that’s why I wanted to run the marathon for them," she said.
“I was the first in my friendship group to have a baby so they didn’t know what I was going through, and I didn’t really have people around me who I could talk to about how I was feeling," she said.
“I recognised the signs and symptoms of post-natal anxiety second time around. One of the ladies from Barnardo’s was really good at checking in on me with phone calls. When I couldn’t see anyone face to face Barnardo’s was there for me.
Kerensa, who lives in Woolwell, has run a half marathon and several 10ks but is nervous about joining more than 50,000 other runners in London, saying: “I tend to train first thing in the morning and fortunately I’m an early bird. There’s not much chance of a lie in with two boys. I am a bit nervous about the event because it is so big, but I’ve got lots of family support.
"Matt will be cheering me on in London and the boys will be following my progress on the app when they are at their nanny and grandad’s. At least London is flat. Since I’ve been training, I’ve discovered just how hilly Plymouth is!”
Barnardo’s provides a wide range of support for children, young people and families across the UK. That includes helping children who are in care and leaving care, those who have suffered abuse or are at risk of exploitation, young people with caring responsibilities and families who need extra support.
You can contribute to Kerensa’s fundraising via her Just Giving page