Myself and a couple of crazy friends have elected to participate in a number of sporting and endurance events this year, to support two local, non profit support groups, for men with mental health issues of varying kinds.
I was lucky enough, after a very long struggle with the system, to be diagnosed with, and now treated for bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. I am now able to live a relatively normal life. Others however, are not always so lucky.

This cause is close to my heart. At Christmas 2020, a very special man in my life, who suffered the same conditions as me, felt he could no longer fight against his mental health demons. Having felt failed by the system many times, after reaching out for help, Jake couldn't fight alone any longer, and chose to take his own life. This tragedy, I feel, could have been prevented, if Jake had known about Man Down, or the recently established lighthouse group, and other organisations like them. So, across the course of 2021 (covid restrictions permitting), I shall be participating in a number of events, from duathlons, marathons, ultra marathons, 24hour endurance races and even the commando challenge, to raise funds for Man Down and the lighthouse group in Cornwall. They are non profit making support groups based in Cornwall, and cover the entire county. I am proud to be able to support their mission in memory of Jake. If I can provide funds so that their plight saves the life of just one man this year, then I have succeeded in my hopes and Jake's life wont have been taken in vain.
Thank you for reading my personal story.

I will love you always Jakey. Rest in peace my angel.