For those with Mental Health problems I am raising money for MIND, in memory and honour of the late Patsy Indra Cockburn....My Mum.

Mental illness is a widespread affliction, which is difficult to talk about, never mind how difficult it is to deal with for the afflicted, and those around them.

My Mum, Patsy, was unique and an epic woman, a complete one off,, a loving and caring mother to her 4 children and devoted wife to my Dad with an amazing 50 year marriage. She was the eldest girl of a big family of loving brothers and sisters, and had many friends, especially through the Catholic Church. She prayed every day and night for everyone to have peace and be happy.

As her eldest son we had a very special bond that only we knew,... but then again Mum had a special bond with all of us kids and Dad at home. She had a special bond with anyone that knew her and met her. She was kind and yet had a very mischievous sense of humour, belying her angelic looks. She was instantly lovable. And fun.

And unfortunately we had some difficult times due to mental illness, and Mum and Dad coped amazingly together. We were lucky to have had great support from our wider family and friends and support services. We led wonderful lives in spite of mental illness. We wish others could have had the same experience. We were blessed.

MIND and many other charities play a very important role in helping people achieve what we had,...dealing with mental illness directly affected, advising those living around, getting people to discuss it, and to de-stigmatise it.

This is not easy to do..... so give what you can to help...a gesture is fine....life is hard enough at the moment... so don't make it harder on yourself.

And for info...this is my official first bike ride entry, "only" 40ks.....I'll be working out my training plan and keeping you updated with my notoriously bad photos....