I have chosen Mind, the Samaritans and The Royal British Legion as the beneficiaries of the Mayor's Charity this year because I want to do all I can to raise awareness of the support that is available in our local community.

On 4th March 2018 I will be doing a sponsored skydive to raise money for these charities and any support you can give towards this event would go a long way - as my dear late mother would say: 'Every little helps'.

Mental health issues are talked about more and more in the local and national media but there's so much more we can do to ensure open and honest conversations about mental health are part of people's day-to-day lives.

You've got to ask where we would be without the work that is done by these local charities supported by the generous donations from the public. I've had ups and downs myself through life, and found myself in dark places when the sort of help these charities provide just wasn't available. I came through those difficult times with the support of my friends and family but it was hard - if I'd have had the help that's available from any of these charities, I know life could have been easier.

Never feel alone, there's always someone there at the end of the phone, online or nearby to get you through your most difficult times when you feel lonely, isolated and you can't see a way forward.