Marcus was a friend I thought I'd have for life, having grown up through school together and gone travelling in the Far East with each other only last summer. Anyone who knew him would agree on what an incredible young man he was, who'd achieved so much with his life by the age of just 20 - a third year medicine student, a multi-instrument musician, a fantastic rugby player and a sailor. He'd also cycled the length of the UK - twice. He had this brilliant sense of humour with such an individual take on things that never failed to crack me up. He took his own life just before Christmas.

Marcus suffered in silence. Those at risk of suicide need to be actively identified and have support reach out to them. The fund aims to raise money to help identify young people who may be at risk of suicide and provide them with the support and help they need. Mental health is such a complex issue - and it's critical we all play a part in looking out for others.

I'm going to be walking 1000km this summer in aid of Marcus in Mind, starting in mid June. Marcus in Mind is a fund set up by Marcus' family after his death, to collect money which can then be distributed to suitable charities and/or fund research into mental health and the identification of those at risk of suicide.

I'll be walking the 'Via de la Plata' in Spain, starting in Seville and heading north around the top of Portugal and to the west coast of Spain. It should take me 8 weeks to walk it, and I'll be doing it solo - staying at hostels along the way. It's going to be horrendously hot and I might well ruin myself with all that walking, but I'm going for it.

I would absolutely love to reach my target of £3000 for Marcus, and all donations are VERY much appreciated.

Donations to this page will then stream through to the main page set up by Marcus' family after I complete my fundraising and my walk. You can find the full fund by following the link below.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/marcusinmind

Please help us all reach the target of £20,000! Much love x