In 2016 I was diagnosed with depression. I always thought that I understood what depression was, but until it hit me, I hadn't. This initially had a very negative effect on mine and my family's (wife and 4 kids) lives, until I accessed services from various mental health organisations, which have helped immeasurably.

One of the things that helps is exercise. I'd heard it said before but never really understood it, but it's true, if I feel physically fit, I feel mentally stronger.

I like to cycle and I have a 20 year old mountain bike which is falling apart that I am currently riding, however I would like to be more productive with my riding, and actually use it to raise money for MIND, the mental health charity. What I would like to do is this....

http://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/trek-cycle-swim-or-skydive/london-to-paris-cycle-challenge-june-2017/

... but on my current bike, it just wouldn't be possible.

With a wife, 4 kids and a mortgage there is very little left over at the end of the month, and an anywhere near decent bike starts at about £500, going up to the high thousands. I don't have £5 spare right now, let alone £500, so I am putting this out there to ask for help to purchase a new bike, to help with my mental health, and for me to help others by raising money.

If, by some miracle this works, anything over the cost of a bike will be donated straight to MIND.

As an aside, two of my children are currently undergoing assessment for autism, and if I had a decent, I would also ride some events to raise money for autism charities, as it is a hugely underfunded and understaffed area by the NHS and families are heavily reliant on charities for support and advice.

Thank you for reading.