The Challenge

On Saturday 5th April, I will attempt to run my longest ever race by taking on a huge challenge. The SILVA Northern Traverse is a 300km ultra run following Wainwright’s coast to coast route. Beginning at St Bees on the west coast, the route crosses the north of England through three National Parks (Lake District, Yorkshire Moors, Yorkshire Dales) finishing in Robin Hood’s Bay on the east coast. Taking in iconic mountains, valleys, moors and more than 6,500m of ascent, the Northern Traverse is one of the most spectacular journeys in the UK.

In 2024, I managed to get to 81 miles but my knee said no more. I was gutted but undeterred, I started my training just one week later. I’m now stronger and even more determined. I still have lots of training to do but I am itching to have another go.

See last year's event here:

https://www.northerntraverse.com/2022-lakes-traverse-video-1-1

Why

As part of this journey, I would like to raise money for CALM (The Campaign Against Living Miserably) in memory of Adam Long. Adam took his own life in October 2020, 2 months after this 21st birthday. Despite his torment and obvious struggle his family were unable to access the help he needed. We know that with the right help he may well still have been with us today. His family live daily with the pain and anguish of his loss. Life will never be the same again and they will never come to terms with the gap he has left in their lives.

Adam was so very loved - a passionate, determined, loving and fiercely loyal son, brother, nephew and friend who had so much potential to live a valued and full life.

Please help us raise money to support those and who are currently suffering alone. The facts behind this hidden pandemic are horrendous. Suicide is the BIGGEST single killer of men under the age of 45 - any of our children could be victims.