Toni Frostick is raising funds for a mental health charity that helped a close friend recover from psychosis.
The 40-year-old, who grew up in Romford and used to go to Robert Clack School in Dagenham, takes on the London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge on May 24 for Mind in West Essex.
“They acted quickly when my friend needed help,” she says. “The charity also guided me to be there for my friend — this is my way of giving back.”
Toni is a seasoned distance runner who has already run the gruelling Race to the Stones along the ancient Ridgeway from Hertfordshire to the 5,000-year-old Avebury standing stones in Wiltshire, in aid of Bipolar UK back in 2023.
Next month’s ultra marathon run is a bigger test to her endurance than ever before, a fast 100km course with sweeping climbs and non-stop runnable terrain underfoot.
There are 2,000 adventurers competing, starting from Richmond, over the North Downs through the Surrey and Sussex countryside, before the welcome sight of the Brighton coastline comes into view.
That’s incentive enough for Toni to take on the gruelling challenge for a worthy cause.
“Mental health touches us all,” she said. “The Mind charity supports those in need and puts on events to promote mental wellbeing and awareness.”
The creative pastel artist, who works from Parndon Mill studios in Harlow and is also a manager for Harlow Art Trust, still goes back to her old Robert Clack school to help out with interview days for new pupils.
Toni is “on track” to hit her £600 target. Donations to the Toni Frostick Just Giving online page have already passed £500 – to give, visit justgiving.com/page/toni-frostick-1729862757266.
Mind in West Essex has programmes online and drop-in support groups, as well as befriending support, counselling, therapy and support training with self-help resources which helped Toni be there for her friend’s recovery.
