Nick Lovick's Story - Orkney Blide Trust

In 2004 I tried to take my own life. This was caused by an undiagnosed mental illness which I had tried to ignore and downplay throughout my teens. What followed was many years of treatment and recovery. This involved a lot of work personally, support from my family as well as medication and involvement with the Community Mental Health Team and my support worker at The Blide Trust.

The Community Mental Health Team were a great support, but being over stretched and understaffed there were limits to what they were able to do immediately. The Blide Trust were there for me as soon as I needed, with no waiting list, no hoops to jump through and no judgement.

As well as receiving support from a key worker at the Blide, I was able to gain further confidence learning coping mechanisms as well as every day skills for building my self esteem and getting back on my feet.

I suffer from social anxiety and manning the drop in centre encouraged me to leave the house on days I might otherwise have not managed, without the pressure associated with a paid job.

I have learnt to manage my condition over the years and have found that, for me, exercise is the most important thing I can do to keep my mental health stable. I am in a much better place now, but I take comfort in knowing the Blide is there, just a short walk or a phone call away if and when I need them.

While the Blide receive about half the money they need to operate, they have to fundraise the rest.

I am cycling from Lands End to John o’Groats for the challenge, for my mental health and for The Blide Trust, a charity I care very much about.

Norman Myles's Story - British Heart Foundation

When I heard, from my wife Elizabeth (Lizzie is, like Dave, another bridge player), that Dave was planning to cycle Lands End to John o’ Groats with his son-in-law I thought, that at the age of 71, I wouldn’t have many more opportunities for good long rides and asked if I could come along with them.

The trip would also be an opportunity to raise money for the British Heart Foundation as a means of thanking everyone involved in the treatment and care of Lizzie after her heart attack in October.

More info including rider bio's and our route can be found on our website here http://www.ingavoe.co.uk/cyclejog/

Our Facebook page is here https://www.facebook.com/CycLEJOG