As I alluded to on FB earlier this week, a new challenge is needed to get my lazy self up and mobile again for a healthier more social and less SAD affected me approaching the final months of the year.

Soooooooooo, on Friday 19th October - no matter what surprises the UK weather has in store - I will be walking a minimum distance of a marathon navigating through a fair chunk of old Manchester canals, Sports stadia and (hopefully) disused train tracks for an estimated continuous 8-10 continuous hours to raise money for MIND in Croydon. 

TRUE FACT:- Friends I usually holiday with on an annual basis will be partying in Vegas whilst I am on this walk.  Stupidly, I have finally decided not to join them and instead do this!  As you read on (please do), you'll see my competitive streak added to my addled brain keeps making this challenge more and more crazy.  Please remember I've given up a trip to Vegas  when you consider adding a donation!!! ;-)

MIND in Croydon is my local section of the main UK MIND charity (http://www.mindincroydon.org.uk/) who look to fill many of the gaps that council budgets can no longer sufficiently support.  Both locally and nationally MIND do tremendous work to assist people with all sorts of mental health issues.  I have chosen to align myself with this local section as I feel the money raised can have a bigger and more direct impact.  Albeit, if anyone wants to know more or needs assistance/motivation/guidance, the main MIND web pages (https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/)  are full of amazing helpful tips and thought provoking advice, whether iro yourself or trying to support friends and loved ones with this mostly invisible or easily hidden disability.

To ensure I complete the distance and as this man loves a marathon challenge (this may be tougher than when he runs them as he has to listen to me all the way!) - but mostly so he can boast he is finally being given some responsibility! - my great friend Jeebs (some people weirdly use his birth name of 'Jaume' instead) will be walking with me.

The distance will initially be set at 42.2 km / 26.2 miles but if you lot can push the donations passed the £1,000 barrier, I will raise it by 1 km per extra £100 raised (max distance of 50 km). Shusssssh .... I didnt mention this bit to Jeebs!  I really have no idea how much I can raise so as this is and will be my only individual fund raising event for many years - so don't worry it won't become an annual request :-) by me for your wonga - I have set an ambitious target!  Also I know how some of my friends - Seeks and Mr Caine to name two obvious candidates - will take merciless pleasure in aligning raising my target distance with my potential pain thresholds, I expect this 'sales' pitch to be successful.  Of course, I like to think their pleasure will be in a light-hearted supportive way!!!

If any of my many friends based in mainland Europe wish to donate please contact me via WhatsApp, Email, FB messenger and I will give you details for a Euros bank account where you can transfer your donations too, which in turn will be added to the main collection site.  This way we won't lose a chunk of your kind donations in ridiculous bank conversion rates/charges applied to individual transfers!

If donating in the UK, please tick the gift aid box so this additional tax saving sum can also be automatically claimed and donated directly to the charity asap.

Thanks in advance for your support,
Martin x

PS: I will post updates of my progress on here and I suspect various social media outlets over the coming 10 weeks.  Yay for you all - you get to view lots of my excellent quality photos to view!! #wastedinpensions! :-)