On the 8th of July I am taking part in the greatest mental and physical challenge of my life, an Iron Man. This involves a 4km swim, followed by a 180 km bike ride and finally a marathon (42km), all within an 11-13hr time frame.

Why am I doing it? The challenge? Certainly. Ego? Probably.
More importantly, I want to use this as a way of raising people’s awareness of and money for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust.

As you may or may not know, my family have been devastatingly effected by mental health issues. This cause is incredibly close to my heart and one that I feel young people especially need to be educated in and made aware of. Although understanding of mental ill health has vastly improved in recent years, there is still a long way to go.

The stigma attached to mental ill health undermines self-confidence and engenders feelings of inadequacy in those most affected by it.

The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust has a vision of a world where all people understand and talk openly about depression , where young people know the importance of maintaining a sense of wellbeing, and where the most appropriate treatments are available to anyone who need them.

Please give as generously as possible to this cause, in order to help families whose lives are affected by mental ill health.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

George