Somerset’s Katie Jones is completing the Two Counties walk from Taunton to Starcross in Devon this weekend (6-7 December) to raise funds for the Cricketers’ Trust.
The wicketkeeper was supported by the players’ charity earlier this year and is taking on the 85km challenge alongside her sister Hannah.
At just 19-years-old, Jones has bravely told her story and wants to raise money to help others that might being going through something similar.
“I wanted to give back to the Cricketers’ Trust because they provided me with really valuable support during a really difficult period of my life, I don’t think I could have done it without them. I woke up one day and wanted to do a walk with my sister to help the Trust.”
The Trust provided Jones with a local counsellor through Sporting Chance who supported her with 18 sessions, which she was very thankful for.
“Earlier this year February time I spoke to Martin Cropper my PCA Personal Development Manager and then the next day someone called me. I’m very grateful for my his help, the PCA and Trust. The sessions were really valuable and I just wanted to give back and hopefully fund some more sessions for someone else.”
Jones believes it’s important that more conversations are had surrounding mental health so people can reach out and ask for support when it’s needed.
“It’s nothing to be afraid of, Martin was really helpful and I felt no shame in it. It was so easy to set up through Sporting Chance and they worked together really well to ensure you get what you need and get back to being yourself and enjoying cricket.
“It’s always been a taboo subject but it’s like any other injury, your brain needs training and rehabilitation like any part of your body and we need to break down the stigma of that and not be afraid to ask for help.
“It’s not easy and it’s something I’ve struggled with throughout my life, I didn’t get the support I needed at school so I’m lucky to finally get that support now.”
“My playing career took a bit of a hit because of it and I needed to take some time off but the work that I did with my counsellor was invaluable and I would have missed far more cricket and been in a worse place if I hadn’t had that support.”
You can support Katie’s fundraising efforts by click here.
