THE childhood friend of a girl that tragically decided to take her own life is running the London Marathon in her memory.
Sophia Vahdati, a schoolfriend of Juliet Crew, a 22-year-old who was found dead at her home on August 6 2015, will be running the marathon on April 23 to raise money for Young Minds, a children's and adolescence mental health charity.
Juliet took her own life after writing she "could not live in a world of such injustice" years after her stepfather was cleared of raping her. Her mental health deteriorated as she tackled depression, overdoses and self-harm.
Miss Vahdati, who played on the same hockey team as Juliet at Queen's College Taunton, now hopes to honour her friend's memory while tackling the challenging 26-mile run. She has already raised more than £2,000 for the charity.
She said: "My principle memories of Juliet involve hysterical laughter, making up silly songs and even filming spoof documentaries instead of writing up projects for our homework.
"As a teenager, I was ill-equipped and mainly ignorant of what Juliet had been through.
"Now I'm older, I truly appreciate how strong Juliet was and want to raise awareness of mental health issues, especially those which stem from sexual abuse.
"At the age of 24, I now know many women, myself included, who have suffered from mental health issues that were aggravated or provoked by sexual assault and/or abuse.
"I have decided to channel my grief, anger and confusion at such a painful event; suicide as a reaction to trauma, into running the London Marathon for Young Minds, a charity that prioritises young people's mental health and support in their work.
"I think of Juliet a lot when I'm running and I know that she'd be happy to see that I'm raising money for such an important cause.
"I'm trying my best to positively address the issues and emotions surrounding the death of my vibrant friend and I'm hoping that an openness surrounding sexual trauma and mental health can be achieved so none of my generation's daughters ever have to suffer like Juliet."
Juliet's eldest sister Fiona Crew said: "When I found out that Sophia was running the marathon in memory of Juliet, I was overwhelmed and felt encouraged that something positive was coming out of a terrible situation.
"While Juliet’s story is a great tragedy, which as a sister, I will never get over, it gives me great hope and strength that Sophia is running to commemorate her life and to raise money in her honour. "The charity she has chosen, Heads Together for Young Minds is a fitting tribute to my sister. Juliet faced a long battle with her mental health, which sadly culminated in her passing at the age of only 22.
"As a final year medical student myself, I am all too aware of the number of young people struggling with their mental health and feel that charities such as Young Minds are vital in ensuring young people get the important help they so rightly deserve."
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