I never thought it would get to this point. But here I am, stepping into the unknown with over 1100 miles to cover, each step fueled by the hope that one day, mental health won't carry the stigma it does today. This is my journey, my challenge, and my way of giving back to those who need it most.

My awareness of mental health started when my Cousin Lee Bates took his own life. At the time I was so young that I didn't quite grasp what had happened but as I grew up I started to understand how someone could do something that others consider unimaginable. I saw how suicide affects not just the individual but the loving family that surrounded him. A few years later my friend Greg Roscow also took his own life. I did not know Greg as well as his close friends but he was always the life and soul of a party and he was the last one in my mind that would take his own life.

As I came into my early 20s this is when my own struggles started. Working 2 or more jobs since I was 16 trying to level up in life meant that I sacrificed my social life, friends and seeing family. This when my struggle with anxiety started. How it sometimes felt like drowning in a sea of thoughts, thinking how can I get ahead in life and not understanding why I am not achieving the life goals I wanted to. I pressed on and worked harder thinking that doing this would help me achieve my goals faster. Just over a year later I cracked, falling into an abyss of unachieved goals and no one to confide in because I had distanced myself away from friends due to working multiple jobs and my free time was spent in my side businesses. This was leading me on a downward trajectory in my mental health.

I knew mental health was a critical issue, but I had never felt it so personally until then. It hit me hard: how many people walk through life, silently suffering, without the support or the resources they need? How many, like Lee & Greg feel isolated and unseen in their darkest moments?

That's when I discovered Mind UK, a charity dedicated to providing support and resources to those affected by mental health issues. Their mission spoke to me—it was about offering a lifeline to people who needed someone to listen, to offer guidance, and to show them that it’s okay to not be okay. Mind UK has been a beacon of hope for countless individuals, helping them to break the silence surrounding mental health and create a society where everyone can feel safe asking for help.

I had my mum, dad, family & friends around me to openly support me through my own low points but I do understand that this is not the case for everyone. After doing this, it made me see why we all need to talk to someone about our own issues rather than bottling them up.

I knew I had to do something to spread awareness of this brilliant charity. So, I made the decision: I was going to walk over 1000 miles to raise awareness and funds for Mind UK back in 2020. We all know what happened that year...

It seems like an impossible feat, but it felt right. Walking—one step after another—symbolized how small, consistent actions can lead to profound change. It took me a long time before I could commit myself to this challenge. I am no athelete and I don't feel ready to take on this challenge physically but I would like to prove that it is possible to achieve anything when you set your mind to it.

Each step I take is for someone who can’t speak up, for someone who feels they don’t have a voice. It's for those who have been told their struggles aren’t valid or that they’re just overreacting. It’s for those who hide behind a smile because the world isn't ready to understand them. Every mile is a reminder that no one should ever feel alone in their journey with mental health.

The path will be far from easy. There will be moments of exhaustion, both physical and emotional. Sometimes, the weight of the task will seem too much to bear. But each time I think about giving up, I remember why I started. I think about the people who have struggled, the stories of resilience, and the countless individuals who have found hope through the support that Mind UK provides. I walk for them.

As I walk, I will meet people who share their own stories of struggle and survival.

Some people close to me have battled depression, others like myself have dealt with crippling anxiety, and some have lost loved ones to suicide. These conversations remind me why this walk is so important. It’s not just about raising funds; it’s about breaking down the barriers that prevent people from talking about mental health and showing that we all need to care, support, and lift each other up.

Mind UK has made it their mission to provide that support to everyone, and I want to be a part of that. This journey is bigger than me—it’s for everyone who feels like they’re fighting a battle no one can see. It’s for the people who are learning to be brave enough to seek help. It’s for those who are still waiting for their moment to heal.

With every blister, every mile, every sunrise and sunset, I will be reminded of the strength it takes to keep going, just as it takes strength for someone struggling with mental health to face each day. But with support, understanding, and kindness, we can all walk through our own challenges together.

This is why I am walking 1100 miles to raise awareness. To raise funds. To let people know that their struggles are seen, that they are not alone, and that help is out there. This walk isn’t just for me—it’s for all of us. And every step brings us closer to a future where mental health is understood, supported, and prioritized.

Join me on this journey. Let’s walk for a world where no one ever has to face their mental health challenges alone.