WHEN Vicky Willan tells people her plan to run 42 marathons in seven weeks they think she’s mad. But Vicky says she would rather run 26 miles a day than endure a mental health illness.

And she should know because she works with people with mental health issues at St Ann’s Hospital in Poole.

“It is usually a long-term condition, which is why I wanted to do an endurance event to reflect that rather than a one-off marathon,” she explains.

The 42-year-old dietician plans to run 1,092 miles from a small coastal town in northern Scotland called Tongue (‘I thought that would be appropriate because of my job,’ she laughs) finishing in Poole on October 10 World Mental Health Day.

“It’s more about awareness than raising money. I have worked at the hospital for the past seven and a half years and it has been a real eye-opener.

“At least one in four people will be affected by a mental health problem at some stage in their life and yet it can still be a bit of a taboo subject.”

Vicky who has three children and lives in Hamworthy, adds that all the latest research shows how people’s physical health is linked to their mental wellbeing.

“Someone with a mental illness lives an average of ten years less – they are more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease and cancer and take drugs and alcohol because a healthy lifestyle is not a priority for them.

“Eating the right foods allows your brain to function better and exercise is also shown to help people suffering with depression and anxiety.”

Her GB Top to Bottom Challenge, which starts at the end of August, means she will have to run six marathons a week to achieve her 42 marathon mission by October 10.

“I am 42 this year and the number 42 kept coming up in things I read – my dad always used to say that 42 was the best age - so that’s how I came up with the number 42 – I really want this to be a special year.”

Her route will take her through Cumbria where she grew up and Manchester where she was born, going via Wales.

“Some people think I’m crazy and that I can’t do it, but ordinary people can do extraordinary things – you don’t have to be famous or a professional athlete – you just have to have a good reason for doing it.

“I might not be fast but I know I can do it because it is for a good cause. I am determined to finish - even if I have to do it on crutches!

If people want to make a donation to the Mental Health Foundation or support Vicky in any way with accommodation or transport please visit gbtop2bottomchallenge.com