Deputy Headteacher Takes on Three Ultramarathons in Three Days for Children’s Mental Health
Deputy headteacher and Syston resident Liam Collins, will push his physical and mental limits to shine a spotlight on one of the most pressing issues facing young people today: mental health.
Over the course of three days: Wednesday 25th March to Friday 27th March, Liam Collins, who is deputy headteacher at Captains Close Primary School in Ashfordby, will attempt to run a gruelling route connecting every single school within the Discovery Schools Academy Trust.
The scale of the challenge is immense.
Each day, Liam will cover a distance equivalent to an ultramarathon, totalling three ultramarathons in just 72 hours.
The journey kicks off at Uppingham Community College on Wednesday at 9am, and is scheduled to reach its triumphant conclusion at Birch Wood Special School on Friday at 3pm.
Throughout the event, Liam will maintain a rigorous pace to visit six different schools every day.
For Liam, the miles are only half the story; the true goal is to spark vital conversations within the school gates.
At every stop, Liam will:
Join the children for laps around their own playgrounds.
Advocate for openness, encouraging children to be honest and proactive about their mental well-being.
Build a supportive community that bridges the gap between physical activity and mental health awareness.
Liam said: “I want to build a community and raise awareness and funds for Young Minds.”
Liam is undertaking this feat to raise essential funds for YoungMinds, a charity fighting for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.
You can support Liam by donating via his JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/liam-collins-1.
Anyone wishing to run a segment of the route with Liam are invited to follow the official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/miles.for.mind.2025) for live updates and route details as the event approaches.
