We've done it at Christmas, now we're doing it in summer; and its a big one. 

Asking for money at Christmas time for me to go and ride my bike sometimes made me feel a little uneasy. I thought "shouldn't I be pushing myself out of my comfort zone a bit more to warrant this level of people's charity?" This time, a small group from the Valley MTB riders will be riding over 100km and 2445m of climb (that's 62 miles and 8021 feet in old money) from Manchester Piccadilly station to Sheffield station. We'll be taking in Peak District classics along the way including: Lantern Pike, Jacobs Ladder, Mam Tor, Jagger's Clough, Blackley Hey (Potato Alley), Lockerbrook Heights (Gores), Ladybower, Derwent Edge, Stanage Edge and Lady Canning's Plantation in a grueller of a day.

Dan Barden, took his life earlier this year was a close friend of Tom Faulkner who is joining the ride and also Wez and Phil from the Valley MTB group. This is why we are raising money for SToRMS: The Dan McAllister Foundation. SToRMS stands for "Strategies To Reduce Male Suicide". In taking part, we hope to raise awareness of male suicide, the biggest cause of death in men aged 20-45 in the UK (CALM). 

Many charities already support young men with mental health problems and those able to seek help. Yet many fall outside these groups and are not seen as at risk until it is too late. It is these men who SToRMS aims to help, by: 

1)Promoting mental well-being from early age

2) Challenging gender stereotypes that prevent men accessing help

3) Facilitating widespread discussions about suicide

4) Highlighting the relationship between alcohol & mental well-being

Through:

1) Raising awareness

2) Additional teacher training

3) Focused work with pupils

4) Funding input from specialist charities

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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