A SALISBURY businesswoman will take part in the London Marathon to encourage individuals to run for better mental health.
Judy Atkinson, 60, lives in Gomeldon and is Head of Operations at Securitas UK for the midlands and southwest. She is also the CEO of the charity Running on Empty, which aims to get people in the security industry running to focus on their mental health.
Judy will be running the London Marathon to raise money for Shelter, a charity that tackles homelessness in the UK.
Judy chose Shelter because after living abroad, she arrived back in the UK with her two-year-old daughter at the time and had nowhere to live.
She said: "Had it not been for the one person I knew here who offered me and my daughter their floor, we would have been on the streets and it would have been very different.
"That is why Shelter means a lot to me. I know that they do is so important."
READ MORE: Woman to run London Marathon for dad who survived tumour the size of a rugby ball
Having not run very much before, Judy is keen to show people that you don't have to be a keen runner to raise some money and awareness.
Judy ran a 10k event in London and said she "got the running high afterwards" and wants to do more to promote running to the security industry and promote the positive affects it has on mental health.
Judy Atkinson (Image: Judy Atkinson) Judy said: "The imagery of running is someone who wears expensive gym clothes, who is white and young. There isn't a lot of imagery of people who are not that. That is why I wanted to start Running on Empty.
"For people who are struggling or think running is not for them. For the front line workers. We are here to support everyone."
READ MORE: Teenager aiming to become youngest ever to run the London Marathon barefoot
Judy, who is in charge of over 900 staff members in her job, regularly works long days and doesn't get lots of time to train.
So, at the weekends, she makes the most of her time and runs around Salisbury with her two dogs, Mac, the spaniel, and Ben, the labrador.
Judy is very excited for the London Marathon and will have support from her husband and her dogs. Mainly she is keen to spread awareness and positivity while raising some money.
She said: "When I first started running I felt like a right muppet. If I can encourage one person to start running and they feel better for it then that is the best thing.
If you would like to support Judy and her charity Shelter then you can donate at justgiving.com/page/judy-atkinson-1735579270268.
