Former Love Island star Paige Turley has confirmed she will be taking part in London's half marathon next month in memory of one of her late friends from her hometown in West Lothian.
The Scots influencer announced the news on her Instagram page as she shared a link to a JustGiving page that has been set up to raise funds for Mental Health UK, a charity which sits close to the 25-year-old's heart.
Paige, who won the second winter series of the ITV dating show with partner Finn Tapp in 2020, opened up on the loss of "upstanding guy" Jamie Aitchison who sadly passed away in December last year at the age if 20 after losing the battle "against this scourge of mental health."
The Scots singer wrote: "In December last year my hometown sadly lost another friend, son, brother, grandson and upstanding guy, Jamie Aitchison aged 20, after he sadly lost his battle against the scourge of mental health.
"The tragic news has left a hole in many people's hearts with many in the community struggling to come to terms with the loss of Jamie, who was the light in a dark room."
"Unfortunately, this is news that is heard all too often with mental health reported to be effecting 1 in 4 people in the UK," she added.
"Therefore, I’ve decided to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon (22km) on April 2nd with all donations going towards ‘Mental Health UK’."
Paige updated her social media followers with snaps from her fitness progress as she gears up to rise to the challenge and face the mission head-on for her much-loved pal in a few months' time.
Paige added that Mental Health UK "are an amazing charity who cover the whole of UK and who’s main goal is, a future where no one has to face mental illness alone.
"They provide transformational services for people such as counselling, practical and emotional support as well as creative and wellbeing activities, from art sessions to our outdoor walking groups, ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need, when they need it, and in a way which works best for them."
The 25-year-old encouraged anyone who has mental health difficulties or thoughts of suicide to "please reach out," to their services and not to "suffer alone."
"Please reach out to friends and ask how they are, ask twice.... you never know what someone is hiding behind a smile. Jamie's smile was most definitely the brightest in the room.
"In loving memory of Jamie Aitchison 30.11.02 - 28.12.22"
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