In May 2027 I will be walking the Coast to Coast, crossing the entire width of England on foot to raise money for The Cellar Trust, a mental health charity based in Shipley that supports people who are struggling, overwhelmed or living with hidden disabilities and long term conditions.

This challenge means a lot to me. After completing the West Highland Way in April, I realised how much walking has changed my life. It has helped my mental health, given me strength I did not think I had anymore and helped me cope with the impact of my back injuries, which I rarely talk about openly. Even though my disability is hidden, the effects are real, and walking has become one of the few things that helps me manage both the physical and mental side of it.

The Coast to Coast is around 190 miles from St Bees on the west coast, where you dip your boots in the Irish Sea, to Robin Hood’s Bay on the east coast, where you finish by dipping them again in the North Sea. It crosses the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. It is a serious challenge, but it is one I am determined to complete.

I am doing this for The Cellar Trust because they support people who feel lost, stuck or unable to cope. They help people who are dealing with hidden disabilities, long term conditions and mental health struggles that are not always visible from the outside. Their work changes lives, and I want to use this walk to help them continue supporting the people who need them most.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will go directly to The Cellar Trust. If you cannot donate, sharing this page or following the journey still means a lot.

Thank you for supporting me, supporting this challenge and supporting a charity that makes a real difference.

Mathew