Imagine walking 109km across Devon in just 24 hours — from the windswept sands of Westward Ho! to the sea at Paignton, climbing over Dartmoor under the stars.

This is my story and why I'm doing this walk.

I wanted to give some back story as to why I am doing this walk and hopefully help convince you to donate a few pennies along the way.

In 2018, I know 8 years ago now, I weighed in at a colossal 20stone 5lbs and I was getting bigger by the day.

I became a father 5 years prior and by the time I had reached the weight I was. I had already gone through 3 rounds of mental health treatment for various mental health conditions.

The first was in 2010 for General Anxiety Disorder, Depression and the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I was diagnosed agoraphobic, meaning going outside caused me such anxiety you'd find me running to the nearest toilet, yeah no shit!

I had 6 months of high intensity therapy. Which helped me overcome agoraphobia, helped me get back on a train, in a car and on on public transport.

2 years later, 2012, I was back in therapy. Again for anxiety and depression. Back then the therapist told me my situation and our conversations were actually triggering her, and she couldn't help me.

I eventually, saw a therapist who was able to handle our conversations and came out the other side.

In 2016, I once again slipped back into a cycle of negative thinking, suicidal thoughts, suicidal ideation and self-referred myself to the mental health service with the effects of social anxiety.

At the end of my final session of therapy in 2016, I told my therapist simply, that's it. There wouldn't be another session, I wouldn't seek therapy anymore. I would make drastic and dramatic changes to my lifestyle, regardless of the consequences.

I told my now ex partner the same thing.

I wouldn't have long to wait and by 2018, I found myself standing on Torquay pier in the early hours holding onto the bars, looking down and preparing to do the very thing that I had thought of since the very beginning.... ending my life at just 31 years of age.

I was a sorry sight, weighing at 20 stone 4lbs, on welfare, in copious amounts of debt, no career, no idea of what I was doing with my life or where I was going, unhappy with where I was and saw no point and no reason to carry on another second.

I had 2 voices in my head that night, one said this is it this is how you go. Another simply asked, is that all you've got?

To this day I cannot tell you what drove me to climb down from those bars, turn my 20 stone fat ass around, and run up that pier the tears streaming in my eyes, my heart pounding like a drum, faster and harder.

I lasted barely 30 seconds before stopping and running back to those bars. Back to where I thought I belonged, in the sea.

This cycle played out over and over, I'd wake up early, walk down to the pier, and run up and down the very location where I was quite happy to end my own life, until I had got a foot hold, until I had found a reason to live.

From there I would go on, to complete the couch to 5km program.

I'd walk 34 miles in 2019 in aid of charity, and raise money weighing in at over 17 stone.

I'd push my body to 8kms, then 10kms, 15kms and a half marathon. I'd tone up and build muscle both in the gym and working outdoors throughout the pandemic.

As I worked out I found a whole new mindset, a whole new me, a person that wouldn't succumb to the elements, that refused to give in. A man that refused to die!

In 2022, I attempted my first ultramarathon with stress fractures to my feet, I managed a half marathon before having to be brought down by ambulance.

I'd go back in 2023, and complete that ultramarathon, being the last man to cross the finish line.

Today, my mental health has never been stronger. I never went back to therapy, I lost over 6 stone in weight and I have not suffered from anxiety or depression since I took up physical training.

This 109km walk for me, represents more than someone struggling with anxiety, PTSD or depression. For me it represents those people that succumbed to their own dark thoughts, the ones that are no longer with us, the people who felt there was no other way out but to end their own lives.

I know how it feels to be anxious, depressed and to suffer the effects of PTSD. It's hell, a hell that no one else can see or feel bar the person going through it.

This walk is for The Devon Clinic, a charity providing affordable counselling and mental health support for people who need help but can’t always afford it.

The Devon Clinic is there to listen, to care, and to help people rebuild their lives — but we can only keep doing that with your support.

This challenge isn’t just about distance; it’s about determination, teamwork, and compassion. The walk will test us physically and mentally, but knowing that each step helps someone take their first step toward recovery makes it worthwhile.

Please donate, share, and be part of this journey. Together, we can make mental health support accessible for everyone in Devon.