British Pop Star Billie Myers and U.K. Blogger Michelle Penny Fight Depression with the L.A. Marathon

U.K.-based blogger Michelle Penny embarked on a voyage that kept her running, sprinting and walking all the way from the England to the United States.  (Well, there was a Facebook-related bet with singer Billie Myers and a plane involved, but that's just logistics).  Michelle set her sights on a journey that many others in her running shoes would've never even dared to consider.  The Wonder Woman of the U.K. decided that she was going to train and then run the Los Angeles Marathon all while helping to impact the world in a positive, inspiring way.  The first-time runner created a goal and then surpassed it while shedding light on a subject no one, especially in the media, dares to acknowledge: depression and suicide prevention.

Michelle had a little help from her friend Billie, who is most notably recognized for her hit single, "Kiss the Rain," and who recently released all new material with Tea and Sympathy. Once Michelle caught a glimpse of one of Billie's "Unscripted" videos in which Billie talked about wanting to get her Facebook fan page up to 1,000, Michelle threw down the gauntlet and Tweeted, "I'll run a marathon for charity if everyone get Billie Myers Facebook Fan Page up to 1,000." And the rest is social media history, since Billie's fan page boosted to over 1,000 in no time.

Billie Myers

Billie had publicly struggled with depression and subsequently became an advocate for the disease, serving as a spokesperson for the JED Foundation, a leading nonprofit organization that addresses issues related to mental health and suicide in the college population.

Once Michelle committed to running for Billie's fan page, the race was on. As Billie had been the inspiration, raising money for the JED Foundation was a perfect fit. Michelle's website, Queeried.com, followed her journey from novice runner to marathon runner and garnered fans and supporters along the way.  Her Facebook account raised more than $2,100.00 via her attached fundraising page.

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