My name is Kyle Matthews, 18 years old, from Brighton. This September, I am going to be running the perimeter of the UK, Brighton to Brighton, 3500 miles, completely alone, with a 15kg bag to raise money for Family Action

3500 miles, 25 miles a day. Because mental health doesn’t start in the mind. It starts at home.

I grew up in a dysfunctional family, I do this because I have experienced how family, at a young age, can effect people throughout their life, how 50% of mental health issues stem from family problems - poverty, abuse, addiction, neglect — struggles that start behind closed doors. By tackling the issue at the root and improving households and families, we can reduce the mental health issues that are so common in todays world and lower the number of suicides that occur.

In the UK alone, 1 in 6 children between 6 and 19 are thought to have a mental health condition. Simultaneously, 30% of children live in poverty — that’s 4.3 million children. 20% of families regularly skip meals because they cant afford to eat. Thats why I am choosing to donate to Family Action.

Family Action supports families before they fall apart, helping with mental health, parenting support, food insecurity, and financial struggles — the things at the root of nearly every mental crisis. By tackling the rising issue of mental health at the root, hopefully, with your help, we can give enough money to change thousands of lives.

£30,000 could support 600 families for an entire year, it keeps Family line open, a free phone call service for people struggling with family issues, give 300 families one-on-one parenting support and much much more, giving them the help they need to keep going and raise a healthy family, a chance to get back on their feet. Anything you can donate is hugely appreciated £1 or £100.

Every £10 sponsors a mile. Every mile changes lives.