Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My name is Matt and for 2019 I have decided to run/move (more likely walk/crawl) 3650km. For you keen mathematicians that's 10km a day for 365 days!

FYI - I have never ran a full 10K.....

I will be running to raise awareness for mental health. Here is our just giving page with a target of £1,000 to the charity Mind, and I hope this encourages people to think about mental health and how we can help others.

If I can do something that makes me feel that uncomfortable/stressed for 1 hour a day every day for a year, (yes I hate running that much!) to highlight the unnoticed stresses that people suffering with mental health are going through on a daily basis. Then hopefully that can help people to think differently about friends, family or colleagues who seem stressed, depressed or anxious and just ask how they are. Sometimes that's all the help people need.

All I ask is that when I start bombarding social networking sites, that you like and share. Hopefully something that I'm doing will reach someone who needs help, a chat or just to know where to find help.

People are more than welcome to join me whilst I crawl my way through this, as I'm sure I may need a bit of support at some stage.

Nikki is also joining me on this adventure, and is the reason I thought of doing this. During our relationship she opened my eyes to how mental health problems can affect anyone and how important it is to be there to support them. I saw first hand her battles whilst she was caring for her father, who has clinical Depression, Aspergers and has been in and out of mental health wards for the last five years. I moved in to help assist her care for him and then realised how important it was for me to care for her while she took care of him. 

After the passing of her brother, Nikki suffered with a lot of anxiety, and depression when looking after her dad whilst he was ill. Sadly, her dad had a sucide attempt and was readmitted into hospital, which still affects her daily. The anxiety and stress she experiences is the reason why I thought of doing something every day for a year that makes me uncomfortable and stressed as I can’t even imagine what she’s gone through. 

I continue to support her daily when she needs it on her journey to recovery, which has only re-affirmed in my mind the reasons why I am doing this.

I wish no-one had to experience mental health problems, but I know how common it is. So please donate and let’s get more funding to something as important as this. Even children can suffer with these problems. 

Amittedly this is a tall challenge. But if seeing someone (me) put through an hour of daily hell, helps you ask a family member, friend or colleague if they are ok. You wouldn’t believe how far that help goes. 

If you are interested in running alongside (Cheshire based) you can message on Instagram/LinkedIn or Facebook. Or if you just want to have a peak at some of the routes find me on Strava. 

Instagrams - Mattyrayray 

Facebook - Matt Raybould 

Thank you !