Honiton town councillor highlights the impact of the menopause by running 150km in aid of Open Arms

A Honiton town councillor is running two ultramarathons this spring in aid of local charity Open Arms East Devon.

On June 25 Caroline Kolek will run the Jurassic Coast 50km ultramarathon and then on 8 July she will undertake an even bigger challenge - the Race to the Stones 100km race.  

Race to the Stones is one of the UK's oldest trails and takes place over two days, running towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avebury stone circle. She hopes to raise at least £500. 

Caroline, who lives in Honiton, has been busy training for the run with a running group called Women on the Run. 

Open Arms is a Devon-based peer support group which helps adults going through mental health challenges. The group meet regularly in Honiton for arts and crafts, walks, cooking and gardening. The group can also organise counselling sessions. 

As well as raising money for Open Arms, Caroline is determined to raise awareness of the menopause and help reduce the stigma attached to it.

In 2020 Caroline's mental health 'crashed' due to the menopause and she wants to reduce the shame and embarrassment that some women feel when they experience menopause symptoms. 

Caroline told Nub News: "In 2020 I really suffered with my mental health. For me personally, going through the menopause was like being hit by a bus. 

"For too long the menopause has been swept under the carpet and ignored, or, even worse, subject to male mockery. That needs to change.

 "My mental health problems happened during lockdown but I was very lucky to receive support from professionals as well as my family and friends.

"I want to raise money for Open Arms because I have heard nothing but great things about their support, kindness and empathy.

"Organisations such as Open Arms provide vital services for those who need support if they find themselves at a critical and sometimes lonely time in their lives."

You can make a donation to Caroline's fundraising efforts here and you can find out more about the menopause and how it can affect you or your loved ones here.