A proud single dad from Stockport has completed the Manchester half marathon with his two-year-old daughter strapped on to his back.
Chris Greenbank, 36, a stonemason, took just under three hours to complete the 13.1 miles with his tot strapped to a hiking carrier on his back and says the experience was wonderfully bonding for him and his daughter.
He says his little girl rested her hand on his shoulder and kept it there for the whole duration of the run, which took place in Trafford. Chris says: "Our bond isn't something you can even put into words. My heart is full."
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Chris added: "I don't like sacrificing my time with her to do the things I enjoy, so I take her with me running along the canal." This isn't the first time the tot has taken part in such an event. He says: "She has two medals already - one for the half marathon and one for Wilmslow 10K in July this year. She loves it - they are like mini adventures.
"She is strapped in to a hiking carrier and she was singing "twinkle twinkle little star all the way round". The crowd loved it and everybody was waving at her and cheering and giving her jelly babies.
Chris says he has suffered from bouts of anxiety in the past and is friends with Mark Sproston, the founder of Manchester based mental health support group Project 23, who help people with anxiety and mental health problems. Mark set up the group after suffering a personal tragedy and wanting to help others. As a result, Chris decided to raise money from his run to help the initiative - with an aim of £2,000.
Chris, who took part in the half marathon last Sunday (October 9) said: "Having struggled with mental health many times in the past, I know what it’s like to feel hopeless and alone, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I like doing my bit to help people to not feel how I have in the past.
"The people at Project 23 work tirelessly to help people who are experiencing difficulties, without taking a penny. I was already going to do Manchester Half Marathon with my two-year old daughter on my back, so I told Mark, founder of Project 23, that I was going to do it for the group, so that whatever we raise will go towards helping people.
"The funds are to go towards helping people who are struggling mentally, or going through financial hardship. I just want to help to make a huge impact." Chris is also a member of Unbreakable Mindset Academy, an organisation formed by mindset coaches, who help struggling people to reset their thought process and give them helpful tools and strategies to help navigate life.
He says exercise is an important part of positive mental health and he believes there should be no reason why people can't exercise because they have kids - the best thing is to simply take them along. He is now planning future adventures with his daughter.
He says: "I am toying with the idea of doing Chester Zoo 10K. They would be incredible memories to look back on. I think it is too easy to say you can't do exercise because you have kids, that shouldn't be the case."
You can donate to the fund here
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