A BOROUGH father and daughter fundraiser partnership will be hitting the road next month to help a local charity.

Dad of two Simon Hatcher from Mace Court, Thurrock Park, will be running in this year's London Marathon in support of the Open Door charity.

And the day before his daughter Sophie, 12, a student at Thames Park will also be lacing up her trainers the day before to run the Mini London Marathon.

One in five children and young people in England aged eight to 25 had a probable mental disorder in 2023.

The Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2023 report, published by NHS found that 20.3% of eight to 16-year-olds had a probable mental disorder in 2023. Among 17 to 19-year-olds, the proportion was 23.3%, while in 20 to 25-year-olds it was 21.7%.

Open Door is an independent charity, providing vital help and support for children and young people in Essex. Including mental health and wellbeing, advocacy for Children in Care, mentoring and Housing advice, support.

Since 1978 Open Door has provided much needed valued services for the people in Thurrock. They help, on average, 4,500 people each year. Open Door was originally set up to provide help and support services for young people, families and vulnerable adults in Thurrock.

Simon says: "As a local charity with well-established roots in the community, they develop and deliver very successful supportive services through collaborative partnership working, both with communities and other organisations, including Thurrock Council, Probation and Essex County Council.

"I know its a difficult time for our younger generation now as the impacts of Social Media peer pressure and of course still the ramifications of the effects left by the COVID lockdowns still lingering, I wanted to help a local charity who's goal is to help them.

 "I know its cheesy, but the younger generation now is the future of this country and we need to help them however we can.

 "Join Sophie and I in making a lasting difference for Open Door – every contribution matters.I know all the money raised is going to a great charity, and they will make every penny count."

You can support Simon and Sophie via this fundraising link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/simons-running-the-london-marathon-for-open-door?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet