Personal fitness trainer raises £700 for Ablett Ward

Since the age of 18 Stephen Tomlinson says he has struggled with mental health, which left him having problems with anxiety and he also drank too much to make him forget about his pain.

Luckily things changed for the better two years ago during lockdown, when he received some bad news and decided that he’d go for a spontaneous run to try and deal with it, despite not being a runner.

Stephen said: “Much to my surprise I felt amazing after that run as it really cleared my head, and so I decided for a whole year to go out every single day no matter what the weather was like-whether it was stormy or snowing I’d just go out and run.”

The then 25-year-old from Rhyl started documenting how he felt, posting it on his own YouTube channel and on social media and he was amazed by the positive reaction he received.

“That first run really changed everything for me, it spurred me on to stop feeling sorry for myself and make a huge positive change in my life,” said the 27-year-old.

Stephen ended up starting up his own successful personal trainer business called ST Fitness, in Rhyl, and has just set up his second business called ST Media, filming local businesses to help market them.

He said: “Now I’m always looking ahead to do things, asking myself what next?

“I wanted to raise money for the Ablett Ward, because of my own mental health issues and for the people I know who have needed to get help there.”

“It was great to meet the staff on the ward, and it helps me to help them even if it’s just a little,” he added.

Ciera Lewis, who works as an activity support worker on The Ablett Ward, said: “This really kind donation from Stephen is absolutely fantastic for the patients on the ward.

“The money will go towards buying new art materials for the art projects we do on the ward, we’ll also be able to buy small bingo prizes and plants for our gardening activities.”

She added: “It was really lovely to meet Stephen and to hear his inspirational story.”