Today we talk to Verity Westgate, fundraiser for mental health charity Mind

WHAT I’M CALLED: Verity Westgate MY AGE IN YEARS: 28.

WHAT I DO: I am a reading room supervisor (or librarian) at the Bodleian Library where I have worked for the last seven years in different positions. When I’m not at work I swim and raise money and awareness for Mind, the mental health charity. And I eat a lot of cake!

WHERE I LIVE: Kidlington.

WHO I LOVE: My wonderful husband, Ken who supports and inspires me as well as loving me unconditionally.

HAPPIEST YEAR: 2011. We bought a house, I did a 10km swim for Mind and got married all in the space of about six weeks. The 10k swim was my third fundraising swim in three years for Mind, taking me to more than £5,000 raised for the charity.

DARKEST MOMENT: Each of the three times I have suffered from depression have been dark, but perhaps the first time was the worst. I was not able to tell myself that this will pass because I did not know very much about depression and the huge number of people it inflicts. I felt very much alone.

PROUDEST BOAST: I carried the Olympic flame through Kidlington in July, and then sold my torch on eBay to raise money for Mind. It was overwhelming but truly amazing to step off the bus with the torch and hear hundreds of people calling my name and taking photos of me.

BIGGEST REGRET: I try not to have regrets. If something doesn’t go how I would like, I would rather try to move on than dwell on it.

WORST WEAKNESS: Thinking that I’m Superwoman. I have had to realise over the last few years that I just can’t do everything that I would like to without collapsing in exhaustion.

LESSON LEARNED: From my “darkest moment”, I have learned that it is okay to ask for support to obtain good mental health, and the more that you speak out about mental health issues, the less stigma there is.

DULLEST JOB: The ironing. So much effort for such little reward.

GREATEST SHAME: Still take a zoo of cuddly toys to bed.

LIFE-LONG HERO: I have been more inspired in the last year or so from the brilliant Team GB swimmers, in particular the open water swimming champion Keri-Anne Payne.

OLDEST FRIEND: My friend Emily H from my school days who has always supported my endeavours and even came swimming with me in 12C water in May this year.

WIDEST SMILE: Carrying the Olympic torch in July, I just couldn’t stop smiling.

FAVOURITE DREAM: That one day everyone experiencing a mental health problem will receive support and respect.