A couple of years ago, I attempted a 100km walk (I say attempted …totally would have made it had it not been for the broken toe 55km in!). This year myself, the bro and my cousin Anna have decided to set the bar high again: walking around the Isle of Wight coast in 24 hours or less...last time I managed 86km in 25 hours, so 20km more in less time is going to be tough! For this challenge I am raising money for The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which is a registered charity that exists to offer men support and information when they’re down or in crisis, as well as offer support to those affected by suicide. 

Horrifically, the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 is suicide. We live in a society where men suffering from depression are rarely encouraged to recognise, acknowledge or seek help and may be reluctant to talk about the state of their health. If there were more support available for men feeling depressed, better awareness of the scale of the issue and less stigma towards depression and suicide, then so many deaths could be prevented each year. 

My dad John was an incredibly warm, loving and selfless man. He was one of our close-knit team of four and when he wasn't working dad loved nothing more than spending time with his family. Yet unbeknownst to us, dad was suffering from a depression that became an increasingly severe internal struggle for him and tragically, 2 months before his 37th birthday, he took his own life. The day mum had to sit me and my little brother down to tell us will forever be the most heart-breaking moment we have ever had to endure as a family. Knowing that male suicide has been on the increase during the 10 years since then, and that only last year 4,623 other UK families (the equivalent of 12.6 per day) dealt with a trauma similar to ours, truly emphasises what an issue depression in men is in the UK. 

This is why CALM is such an important organisation. They push for changes in policy and practice so that suicide is better prevented and ensure that those bereaved or affected by suicide receive appropriate and timely support. CALM also directly seek to prevent suicide by offering support to men in the UK of any age, who are down or in crisis, via their helpline (which costs them around £7 per call to run) and website. Every pound that I raise can help them build awareness and stop the number of suicides from rising any more.

OK enough rambling from me on here, I have real rambling across hills to train for! It's going to be another tough challenge (over the length of 2 and a half marathons this time!), but with your help in reaching my fundraising target, dad's memory and the fam to spur me on during the walk, I know we can do it! 

Thanks for all the support :-)

xxx