I’m taking part in the Men’s Minds Matter 50km in 30 days challenge this April to raise funds and awareness to support early intervention and prevention of male suicide.

In recent months, I’ve taken up running to support my weight loss journey. I find running to be an excellent way to manage my mental and emotional health, alongside the obvious physical health benefits.

Most people who know me will probably be surprised to know that I have struggled significantly with my own mental health in the past.

During some of the darkest times - and even just during some hard days in lighter times recently - I have struggled with suicidal thoughts and feelings, to varying degrees of impact on my life. I am fortunate enough to never have progressed these thoughts to the point of no return, but I do know what it’s like to live life with a seemingly ever-present spectre looming.

The impact of suicide is extensive and lasting, regardless of gender, but men, in particular, are often face suicidal feelings with a lack of support: sometimes simply because it is unavailable/inaccessible or perhaps through reluctance due to feeling unable to express their thoughts and feelings to those able to support them.

The specific reasons are many and varied, but the bottom line is that more support and more awareness is required to help reduce stigma, improve access to services and empower more men to feel comfortable asking for help in their darkest moments.

So with all this in mind, I’ll be running at least 50km between 1st and 30th April and I hope you can spare a few quid to help spur me on!

You can track my progress on Strava through the month.