A RUNNER from Herefordshire is taking on the London Marathon to raise awareness of the importance of talking about mental health after her brother took his own life.

Sue Egan, 40. will join 30,000 other runners on April 23 in London to raise money for children’s mental health charity Place2Be, as part of Heads Together.

Spearheaded by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Heads Together is the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon charity of the year and aims to change the national conversation on mental health from one of stigma and fear, to one of support.

Her brother, Andrew, died on November 24, 2015.

Sue, who is from Rowlestone, near to Ewyas Harold, said: "I am running in memory of my brother, Andrew, who took his own life.

"His death has inspired me to talk out about mental health issues, especially how men can find it hard to cope in our society today.

"There is no shame in sharing feelings or mental health issues and we all have mental health. Let's share the highs and lows with those we love."

Sue volunteers as a school counsellor at Lordswood Secondary School in Birmingham.

She passionately believes that by providing young people with mental health support they can be equipped with healthier coping strategies that will be invaluable during difficult times in later life.

She regularly speaks at schools in Herefordshire to encourage children and young people to talk openly about their feelings.

Anyone wanting to support Sue can go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EndSilenceEndShame