As we start the new year most of my friends and family would think that 2023 was the best year of my life. Work went fantastic, I visited 3 different countries, got engaged, made some fantastic new friends, and spent my first full year in living in London. This all happened, however it may not have done. On 14th February last year, when many people were enjoying valentines day, I was at crisis point. I was in floods of tears, with my childhood teddybear by my side, having written notes to Katy (my now Fiancée), my dad, and my brothers telling them how much I loved them, and asking them not to think too terribly of me for what I was about to do. I was minutes from taking my own life. If it wasn’t for Katy realising that I hadn’t turned up to a gym class I was supposed to attend with her and rushing home, I would not be sat here writing this today. 10 years of anxiety and OCD had come to a point and I didn’t know what else to do or where else to go.

Suicide is the leading cause of death of people under the age of 35 in the UK, and the biggest killer of men under the age of 50. In 2022 in the UK 15 people died every day by suicide; and these deaths are avoidable.

When Katy got home on that evening on 14th February, she leapt into action, putting me in touch with a crisis team, my GP, and a place that will always be incredibly close to my heart, that is James’ Place (https://www.jamesplace.org.uk). James’ Place is where I found hope. Within a few days I was sitting on a sofa nervously waiting for my first of eight sessions with one of their therapists. After an hour, I was starting to understand that their was light at the end of this very dark tunnel. James’ place offer free, fast access talking therapy to men who are in a suicidal crisis. They have a mission to help men aged 18+ who are in crisis by providing quick access to short and focussed one to one therapy which will help them to understand and recover from a suicidal crisis.

I will always say to everyone, Katy saved my life, and James’ Place held my hand to take the first steps on the road to recovery. That is why this year on 22nd June I am going to attempt to climb the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales within 24hrs. This will involve me climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,345m) driving to Scafell Pike in England and climbing this (978m) and then hopping back in my car and driving to Snowdon in Wales (1,085m) where I will hopefully get up and down within 24hrs. All donations will go towards James’ Place, so they can help more men who find themselves at crisis point.