Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

So this year I turn 40 (I know it's hard to believe)! I had a goal of being Forty Fit & Fabulous but as each week was passing by that goal began to fade and then I saw The Fourtitude Challenge!

A 4 day challenge comprising a mental agility challenge on day 1, climbing Scafell Pike on day 2, a 100 mile bike ride around the Peak District on day 3, finishing with a Half Marathon on day 4. The challenge appealed to me as did the opportunity to raise funds for Mental Health UK so I applied and I was successful (if that's the right word).

Mental Illness affects millions of people each year, in fact 1 in 4 of us will be affected by a mental health problem in any given year and around 4 Million of us will also struggle with our financial well being.

Over the years I have had good and bad mental health and when I have struggled with my mental health I've been lucky enough to have the right people around me to talk to and provide support. I have however also seen first hand the impact on individuals and their families when someone with mental health or financial problems doesn't get the help they need. The biggest killer of men under the age of 50 in the UK is suicide.

The funds I raise will go towards setting up the UK's first combined Mental Health and Money Advice service, it will offer practical advice and guidance to any member of the public who is worried about their financial wellbeing due to mental health issues and vice versa.

The challenge will be a real test of my own fourtitude, I have never run further than a few miles and I have never ridden a road bike let alone for a 100 miles. But this is a challenge I am taking on whole heartedly, I am training hard, making sacrifices and pushing myself every day - you can follow my progress here www.fourtitudechallenge.wordpress.com.

I've got about 5 months to get myself in shape, both physically and mentally!

Thank you for reading my story, if you feel able to support me in my challenge then donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

You never know, I may be forty, fit and fabulous after all! x