Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As most of you visiting will know, I tend to take on pretty tough challenges each year. These are usually organised events. However, this is one I'm doing off my own back.

During the lockdown, my CEO Simon Leslie has been providing our entire company with access to some of the world's greatest coaches and mentors, who have been sharing with us their expertise when it comes to resilience, grit, determination. This amazing line-up has included Tim Grover, Shannon Huffman Polson, David Meltzer, Carla Devlin, Jordan Belfort, Alison Levine and Tracey Livingston Howard.

I've taken onboard so much and have really had an opportunity to grow. My determination, passion and clarity are stronger than ever. So, thank you to them all, and to Simon....

...However, during this challenging, uncertain period, many people will have had their lives turned upside down. I’ve faced my own challenges in the past and have been lucky enough to overcome them and be stronger for them, but I know that others – those who in the coming weeks, months, and years, will face some real demons and some impossible situations – won’t be so lucky.

As we approach what we all hope is the light at the end of the tunnel, and inspired by some of my colleagues who took on the London-to-Brighton 100km walk for good causes, I want to do my bit to raise funds and awareness for Mind – a charity which, with our help, will be there for more people when they will be no doubt be faced with all this.

So... this year's crazy challenge.....

I'm calling it Break the Border – and It will see me take on a gruelling, unaided 100km run from South Shields, Tyneside, going through the pain to break the Scottish Border to Coldstream, Scotland.

Whilst I'm in good shape, I'm by no means ultra-distance fit, so this will be even more challenging for me at this time – and all because I want to give back to those who won't be as lucky as I am. Like the pandemic, mental health does not discriminate. It will impact everyone it can. So, I'm doing my bit now whilst I can.

And any and all donations you can give for this will be gratefully received and go to a very worthy cause. You'll be able to follow the whole challenge on my Instagram and Facebook, too.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So, it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.