Following on from the amazing effort of Tracy and Team Box doing a 16 mile walk in October 2023 in support of CALM, I have decided to challenge myself and walk 1 mile for each person who participated in Team Box's Lost Hours Walk.

Therefore, I will be walking solo, 50 miles from Swindon, passing through Cirencester, Bourton-on-the-water, Stow-on-the-wold and crossing the finish line in Broadway, camping on route to raise awareness for the incredible work CALM does to support individuals, friends, families and anyone affected by suicide.

The walk will take place over a 3 day period finishing on what would have been Alex's 24th birthday.

Alex and I grew up together, our mums met at prenatal classes and from this we would spend every week with each other, sharing every milestone. Losing Alex when we were both just 19 was something I never expected to go through at such a young age and has had a big impact on me, changing my outlook on life. Alex was full of life and I will treasure our childhood memories fondly, and I will use this walk to reflect on the good times we had together.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide. Every week 125 people in the UK take their own lives. And 75% of all UK suicides are male. CALM exists to change this by offering life saving services, provoking conversation and bringing people together to reject living miserably.

From advice on our site, through to free, confidential chats with our helpline staff, online or on the phone, we’re here for whoever needs us, every day. No matter what.

£8 is enough to fund one potentially life-saving call.