Every day, 12 men take their own lives. On average, the youngest is just 24 years old.

A few years ago, my dad, my best friend, became one of those 12 men. This month, he would have turned 60, during what is ironically Mental Health Awareness Month.

In memory of him, and of every person lost to suicide, male or female, I will be walking 12km every day for 24 days, the equivalent of 7 marathons. I hoping to raise £1,800, enough to keep a Samaritans branch open for one month.

Samaritans is volunteer operated. Those volunteers make sure there’s always someone to listen, 24/7, if you’re in crisis or feeling suicidal.

As a fulltime working Mum of two, "free time" is non-existent so starting Saturday, i'll be waking up around 4am for the following 24 days to do these walks.

I URGE anyone struggling to REACH OUT 🙏

If you do not feel you can talk to someone you know, Samaritans here to support you.

Life can be tough. Sometimes it feels like nobody else understands. If it’s all getting too much to handle you can talk to Samaritans. They won’t  judge or tell you what to do. They’re there to listen so no-one has to face tough times alone. Every 10 seconds, Samaritans answers a call for help. Samaritans can be contacted round the clock, for free, on 116 123, day or night, 365 days a year. It’s only your donations and 23,000 listening volunteers that make sure Samaritans can be there for someone today, so they can believe in tomorrow.