I, along with Matty Whitehead and countless others, will be cycling across England on 24th June this year mainly for a personal challenge, which it doubtlessly will be, but also for charity.

I would normally choose a charity that would get me the most support like a cancer charity or anything to with animals but following the passing of my cousin Peter following a severe battle with mental illness last year, I have decided to do something for a CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) a charity that means something to me and a charitable group that doesn’t usually get the support it needs.

Suicide is the biggest killer among males my age yet we very rarely hear any campaigns for us to check our mental state in the same way we
are told to check for lumps on our bits.

Depression and all mental illnesses are no different to cancer or any other illness in that they can affect anyone and as with other illnesses are treatable but also potentially life threatening.  Unfortunately, unlike other illnesses, mental illness attracts an unwarranted amount of stigma and people can often feel ashamed to feel the way they do and as someone who has battled with depression in the past this is something I am familiar with, as are some other people that I know.

Even if you don’t sponsor me have a look at the CALM website to see what they do for people. If the information from the website just gives you pause for thought next time you deal with someone not behaving how you would expect at work, home or on the street or if it helps you if you are having a difficult time then that's a win too.

Thanks for reading my story. Gareth x