A PENNAR university student is running a marathon in Southampton this April, in memory of her late uncle, to raise funds for a Pembrokeshire mental health charity and highlight the issue of depression.

Danielle Rowe, 20, from Cross Park, Pennar, currently in her third year studying aeronautical engineering at the University of Southampton, is running the April 23 ABP Southampton Marathon in aid of the DPJ Foundation, which aims to support people in rural Pembrokeshire with mental health problems.

The foundation was set up in the name of Daniel Picton-Jones, who suffered with mental health issues throughout his life and sadly took his own life.

Danielle has her own personal reason for supporting the foundation; the death of her uncle, Martyn Shipton, from Pembroke Dock.

“I chose this charity as sadly my uncle took his own life before Christ-mas,” said Danielle. “He was a large figure within the community, he set up the domiciliary care agency Prestige Care which provided a lot of people with the extra support and quality care that they required.

“DPJ Foundation is a charity that aims to support people with mental health issues in rural communities in Pembrokeshire. Mental health is a huge problem in men, a man in the UK will die by suicide every 1.68 hours, yet not very many people are talking about it.

“The DPJ Foundation plans to start at grass roots, supporting young farmers and young people in agriculture and give them the support that they require to deal with mental health. It is so important that everyone knows that there is support out there and that someone is listening.

“I have always believed that mental health is an issue that needs to be tackled up front and that the stigma surrounding it needs to be broken down.

“I have experienced friends struggling with depression, anxiety and eating disorders now and in the past. It is very clear that the taboo topic of mental health only makes seeking help and even telling people about your struggles more difficult. I want to do what I can to help.”

Danielle is also hoping to hold some fundraising events in the county when she returns during March and April.

Donations may be made to her JustGiving page: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Dani-Rowe-DPJ