A YOUNG woman from Ryedale who has battled depression and anxiety is taking part in the Great North Run tomorrow.

Kate Youngs, 29, from Malton, will be hoping to fulfil a childhood ambition when she takes part in the run. She decided to take on the fundraising challenge for Samaritans to show her gratitude for the support she received from the charity for over a decade.

Kate started to experience problems with low self-esteem as a child and through her teenage years, which developed into depression.

At 18, when she felt very isolated and that there was no way out, she started to regularly use Samaritans as a source of support.

Kate said: “The volunteers got me through some extremely difficult and tense situations, and some of the things they said have stayed with me to this day.

“I remember them being there for me, for over a decade, during my darkest moments.

“Samaritans offered me someone to talk to in confidence, a friendly anonymous face that made me feel safe.”

In the last few years Kate has had to deal with other problematic areas in her life, and as a result her feelings of anxiety and depression started to return. Kate started running again, wanting to make some positive changes in her life.

She said: “This is the first time I have taken part in the Great North Run and I have been training for the last three months.

“It has always been an ambition of mine, and I wanted to combine it with raising money for a charity that has helped me so much.

“I want to give back so that they can continue to do their life-saving work for other people who may feel like giving up on life.

“No one should be alone when life is spiralling out of control, and I owe so much to these kind volunteers who give up their time to put themselves on the front line, to try to make a positive difference to someone else’s life.”

Lucy Chapman, director of fundraising at Samaritans, said: “Hearing Kate’s story reminds us how important our support services are.

“The money raised by Kate will help Samaritans support other people in need, however big or small their problems, whatever the time of day.

“We wish her and all our runners the very best of luck for Sunday.”

You can donate to the cause by visiting Kate’s fundraising page at justgiving.com/Katharine-Youngs

  • Anyone experiencing feelings of depression and contemplating suicide can phone York Samaritans on 01904 655888.