A Clitheroe mum has completed an extraordinary 84-mile ultramarathon between two NHS Mother and Baby Units that played a vital role in her recovery from postpartum psychosis.

Rachel Lucas ran from The Mount Mother and Baby Unit in Leeds to Ribblemere Mother and Baby Unit at Chorley Hospital, raising more than £8,000 for Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) and helping shine a spotlight on maternal mental health.

Setting off at 9am on Saturday, Rachel arrived at Ribblemere just before 3-30pm on Sunday after almost 30 hours of running alongside her partner, James Ingleby.

The couple were supported throughout the challenge by an army of 27 family members and friends who took on a variety of roles, including running sections of the route, providing food and supplies, offering childcare and cheering them on every step of the way.

Rachel’s challenge was inspired by her own experience of postpartum psychosis, a rare but severe mental illness that can develop after childbirth.

Following the birth of her daughter Evelyn in 2019, Rachel became seriously unwell and was admitted to The Mount in Leeds.

She said: “After the birth of our daughter, I developed postpartum psychosis, a severe and traumatic illness that came out of nowhere. I experienced delusions, confusion and frightening hallucinations.

“It felt like everything had been taken from us at what should have been the happiest time. I truly believed I’d never feel like myself again. I’m so grateful for the care that helped me recover.”

After moving to Clitheroe, Rachel became pregnant with the couple’s second child, Jude, in 2021. Although she received specialist support, early warning signs of postpartum psychosis returned, including anxiety, insomnia and obsessive thoughts about her baby’s safety.

This time, the symptoms were recognised quickly and Rachel was admitted to Ribblemere, where she received further treatment and support.

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Since her discharge, Rachel has continued her recovery while also working with APP to provide peer support to other mothers and families affected by postpartum psychosis.

Speaking before setting off on the challenge, she said: “Stepping back inside the MBU where my recovery journey began felt surreal.

“We chose the two MBUs because they were where I received my care, but starting in Leeds was important because it was the first step in my recovery. The huge distance symbolises the journey that comes after discharge, as recovery can still be a long road.”

The majority of the route followed the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, with family and friends joining Rachel and James throughout the run to keep morale high and ensure they had everything they needed, including food, fresh clothes and even freshly delivered pizza.

The toughest moments came during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Rachel said: “There were moments when I thought we wouldn’t get to the end. It was a huge mental battle as well as a physical one.

“The hardest part was the pain from the blisters and knowing we still had a long way to go. We coped by breaking it down checkpoint by checkpoint.”

As the pair approached Chorley, they were joined by volunteer runners from Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, who accompanied them on the final miles before they crossed the finish line with their children waiting to greet them.

“The moment we saw our finish line welcoming team on the canal was the biggest relief,” Rachel said. “When I saw the entrance to the hospital and the supportive signs, I was overcome with emotion.

“Finishing at Ribblemere was special because not only was it the second MBU I was cared for in, but I now provide peer support there. Using my own experiences to help others feels really powerful.”

Rachel thanked everyone who had supported the challenge, adding: “Two years ago I didn’t think I could run 5km and now we can proudly call ourselves ultramarathon runners.”

The fundraising effort has so far raised more than £8,000 for APP, enough to help support more than 220 people affected by postpartum psychosis.

Fliss Lambert, Head of Fundraising at APP, praised the achievement.

She said: “All of us at APP are in awe of Rachel and James and their amazing achievement. We are so grateful to them and all their supporters for taking on this epic challenge.

“The funds they have raised, alongside the awareness created by sharing their story, really could help save lives by ensuring more people know the signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis.”