The Ride of Hope: Breaking the Silence for Mental Health

They say you never forget how to ride a bike, but after 20 years off the saddle, I’m about to put that to the test.

Some things in life, though, you never forget for far heavier reasons:

The pain of losing someone to mental illness.

The weight of carrying your own struggles in silence.

The moments that shape you, even when no one else can see them.

That’s why I’ll be cycling 200 miles between COOK’s Kitchen in Sittingbourne and COOK Puddings in Ilton. Cook for me has represented far more than just work for me. COOK is the company that helped me find the courage to talk openly about my mental health instead of hiding it behind closed doors.

This ride isn’t just physical, it’s personal.

Carrying the Names

Throughout the ride, I’ll carry with me the names of people who need to be remembered and represented:

Those who are struggling.

Those we’ve heartbreakingly lost.

And those still fighting.

Supporters can send me the names of friends, family, colleagues, or even their own name, and I will write them on me and carry them every mile of the journey.

The Silent Mile

Each morning will begin with a Silent Mile.

No talking.

No music.

Just me, the road, and the names I carry.

This mile is for everyone who feels they can’t speak up, for those whose voices were never heard, and for those still searching for the strength to find theirs.

At the end of that mile, I’ll switch on my lantern, a small light that will stay on for the rest of the day. That moment marks the shift from silence to hope.

Each day I’ll say the same words:

“The silence is broken. The light is on.”

Because that’s what this ride is really about, breaking the silence and shining a light on mental health.

Why I’m Riding

I’m doing this to raise awareness and support for two mental health-focused charities doing powerful work in very different but equally important spaces:

MIND – supporting people living with mental health challenges, giving them a voice, a community, and access to help.

Prison Radio – bringing support, connection, and mental health awareness to people in the prison system, where silence and isolation can be overwhelming.

My fundraising target is:

£1,000 for MIND

£1,000 for Prison Radio

These organisations help make sure people aren’t left to carry their pain alone. We may not be able to erase the hurt, but we can stand beside those who are struggling.

So I’ll get back on that bike, rust, fear, and all, and ride for the people we remember, the ones we love, and the ones still fighting.

Because you never forget.

And you never stop hoping