24 Hour Treadmillathon raising money for Tor Support

Hello everybody,

I’m James and I wanted to make you aware of a charity challenge I will be undertaking on the 27th and 28th October, 2023. I will be raising money for Tor Support, a charitable organisation based in Okehampton that provides counselling for children and young people in the Okehampton area. My support team and I, that includes my wife Clare along with Josh and the coaching team at Future Bodies, Okehampton, invite you to donate and support this challenge.

Tor Support

Tor Support provides free, confidential counselling to 5 - 25 year olds who live in and around Okehampton, Devon. They have been providing this service for 13 years with referrals last year exceeding 200 young people for the first time. Their clients come with a wide range of issues including anxiety and depression, gender dysphoria, relationship problems, self-harming and suicidal ideation. A number are also suffering from abuse or neglect. Nationally, mental health services for young people are severely over-stretched. The local, accessible support they offer can be life changing for young people struggling to cope.

For more information please visit: https://torsupport.org.uk/

Future Bodies (Lead Sponsor)

Future Bodies is more than just a gym. They are a team of passionate coaches who are determined to ensure clients reach their goals, within an inspirational community of like-minded people who are all striving to be the best version of themselves. With over 13 years in the industry, their proven training systems help individuals achieve their goals, once and for all.

For more information please visit: https://futurebodies.co.uk/

About me

I’m a nurse, working with people who have a learning disability. I’m a passionate advocate in relation to raising awareness of mental health. For many years I have struggled with my own mental health and in October 2022 became very unwell. Fortunately I had amazing support from my wife and family along with health professionals who all guided me onto a path that would lead to recovery.

In January 2023 I joined Future Bodies Gym (the Game Changer Programme). Josh Ware, owner and lead coach of Future Bodies supported me to develop a health and fitness plan specific to my own needs. I have never looked back! The combination of physical exercise along with getting to know lots of new likeminded people positively enhanced my recovery. This was and continues to be life changing for me. There will always be ongoing challenges in terms of my own mental health but I now have the confidence to live with it, rather than against it.

I have an amazing family that includes five gorgeous granddaughters. One of my granddaughters is accessing help from the Tor Support team, this is so valuable and important. Mental health issues can affect anyone, of any age, at any time, therefore it’s vital that we have local services to provide support to all. This includes our children and young people who, with access to the right support, are able to flourish and experience a positive and fulfilling life.

Sadly research indicates that more than 50% of long term mental health problems are established by the age of 15, 75% by age 25. Yet national child mental health services can only cope with the most extreme cases. The accessible, community-based early counselling intervention Tor Support offers is vital and provides a lifeline through crisis, improves the life chances of young people by helping them build the resources and resilience they need to cope as they move towards adulthood.

The Challenge

So, what will I be attempting?

I will walk, jog and run on a treadmill solo and non-stop (except for toilet breaks) for 24 hours. To make it a little more challenging I will also aim to complete a minimum distance of 100 miles (161km). This means that I will need to maintain a fast walking pace along with needing to frequently run throughout the challenge. I will eat and drink whilst on the treadmill.

The challenge will be undertaken at Future Bodies Gym in Okehampton and will start at 11am on Friday 27th October and finish at 11am on Saturday 28th October.

I definitely won’t be able to complete this challenge without the support of others. I will have my support team with me but will also have a second treadmill next to me. The second treadmill will be available for anyone that would like to walk or run alongside me during the 24 hours.

Anyone, of any age, who wants to come along will be able to pre-book a 15 minute slot on the second treadmill for a minimum donation of £10 (you can book more than 1 slot). In return for your support, you will receive a thank you gift, entry into our ‘guess the total calories’ prize draw, a photograph taken (with consent) with the option to be included in the ‘Poster of Fame’ which can be purchased after the event.

For those who are unable to come along, a just giving page has been set up for donations and a minimum donation of £10 also gets you entry into our ‘guess the total calories prize draw’.

The whole challenge will be live streamed on Facebook Live.

Our sponsors

https://www.vanessaperrikhoo.com/

https://thetoyshopoke.co.uk/

https://koast.co.uk/

http://www.tawriverdairy.co.uk/

https://binnefordholidaylodges.com/

The aim

• To raise awareness of mental health, particularly for our Children and young people

• To raise a minimum of £3000

• To bring people together for an important cause

• For me personally, to get through to the end!

My support team and I would be so very grateful for any donation you are able to make. I know that many are struggling financially at the moment so any donation would be really appreciated. Our Children and young people need our help but Tor Support cannot exist without funding.

Thank you for supporting!

James