James, Ned, Cloughie…

In 2006, I lost a very close friend, James, to suicide. It was heartbreaking, confusing and a total shock for us all. In the aftermath, James’ parents, Clare and Nick, set up James’ Place — a charity with a simple but incredibly important mission: to make sure no man has to face a suicidal crisis alone.

Fast forward almost 20 years, and we now have a far better understanding of mental health but the problem is very much still with us. In August 2025, just days after his 40th birthday, we lost another dear friend, Ned Harris, who took his own life after struggling with his mental health. Devastating.

Then there was March 2026 – Cloughie… a wonderful soul caught in a crisis. A truly remarkable man who always put everybody else first and, in the end, had nothing left for himself.

Something needed to be done.

So, in memory of James, Ned and Cloughie - I’m running a 100km Ultra Marathon in a single day, with 2,170m of climbing, across the South Downs. I know it’s going to hurt, I know it is going to be tough and most certainly, it’s going to be as much a mental challenge as a physical one. But knowing that every step is helping raise money for something this important makes it all worthwhile.

James’ Place provides free, life-saving therapy to men in suicidal crisis, offering them somewhere safe to talk, without judgement. Their work is genuinely incredible, and the money we raise can make a very real difference — from helping someone take that first step and have a conversation, through to supporting them throughout their treatment.

£15 could fund a first conversation with a suicidal man.

£50 could fund an initial assessment.

£100 could fund a therapy session.

£2,000 could help support one man through his life-saving treatment.

If we can just save one family from experiencing the pain that James’, Ned’s and Cloughie’s family and so many others have been through, then that is all the motivation I need to keep putting one foot in front of the other when things get tough.

Latest update: I’m incredibly pleased to announce that Max Wood has joined the team and will be running for the hills with me!

Thank you so much for your support. It genuinely means a lot.

Let’s do this.

Fergus & Max x