This June, I’ll be cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats — around 900 miles in 10 days — as part of THE M&S BIG FUN-RAISER 2026, raising money for YoungMinds Trust.

While the physical challenge is huge, my motivation goes far beyond the bike.

During my teenage years and early adulthood, I grew up living with an alcoholic family member. Anyone who has experienced this will understand how unpredictable, isolating, and emotionally draining it can be — especially at an age when you’re still figuring out who you are and how to navigate the world.

I was incredibly lucky. I had an amazing family and friends who became my support network — people I could lean on, talk to, and feel safe with. Their support helped me through some very difficult years, and I will always be grateful for that.

But looking back, I also know how different things could have been if I’d had access to specialist, youth-focused mental health support. Something like YoungMinds — a charity dedicated to helping young people understand what they’re feeling, know they’re not alone, and access the right help — could have made a huge difference during those formative years.

Sadly, my mum passed away last October, which brought up a lot of unresolved emotions and re-surfaced earlier mental health challenges from that period of my life. It reinforced just how important it is to talk openly about mental health, addiction, and the long-lasting impact they can have on young people and families.

That’s why this ride matters to me.

For 10 days, I’ll be cycling 80–100 miles a day, pushing myself physically and mentally — but it’s nothing compared to what many young people face every day behind closed doors.

📣 And if donating isn’t possible, sharing this post helps raise awareness — and that genuinely matters.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting a cause that’s very close to my heart.