On Sunday 8 September 2019, I will be taking part in the London Ultra Duathlon in Richmond Park.

This will involve me running 20km, followed by cycling 7 laps of Richmond Park at a total of 77km, and then ending with a further 10km run.

This is probably the biggest and most demanding challenge that I have ever set for myself, but the reason behind it is quite simple.

Mental health, like physical health, is something we can all work on. It can ebb and flow, have its ups and downs, and catch us off guard like a physical injury is more obviously able to. I have been on an interesting and challenging journey with mental health, and it felt only right for me to acknowledge my previous dips, and my existing strength, by setting myself a challenge that will push me to my limits, physically and mentally.

With this in mind (anyone who knows me will know that is a deliberate play on words), I am also using this opportunity to raise money for a really fantastic mental health charity, Mike's Mates.

Mike's Mates has been set up by 5 London-based professionals - including two very close friends of mine - to create a central hub of information on mental health services.

Mike's Mates is a relatively new charity and any support and awareness we can raise through my fundraising will go a long way to spreading the word and effectiveness of its signposting work.

Please check out their website for more information about the support and services they offer:

Mike's Mates

As the website says, Mike was a charming, funny, goofy, highly intelligent man, who began to struggle with his mental health. He needed help and he needed his mates, but neither he nor they knew how to get the right help for him in time. Then it was too late.

We all have a Mike, somewhere in our lives. Let's try to make sure it is never too late for any of them.