Back in 2011 I was heartbroken to find out that the mental health battle my best friend endured had resulted in him taking his own life.

Sadly, for many people, they feel there is no way out of the darkness they feel within their own mind and that suicide is the only option.

Losing Nav left a big hole in all our hearts that still remains today.

One day in October 2022 I was again reminded of the mental health crisis we face in the UK, when driving home from work I came across a young lad attempting to take his life off a motorway bridge, which myself and a few others managed to stop.

Seeing someone so young and helpless not having anyone to turn to has made me determined to raise as much money as possible to support UK Mental Health Charities.

As some may know I am a keen motorcyclist and although I love rides out at the weekend and I have travelled the length of Ireland (ROI and NI), a large part of Scotland and over to the Orkneys; this challenge will push me out of my comfort zone. The ride is known as the UK 4 Corners. The aim is to cover approx. 1,410 miles within 36 hours. This will involve a lot of planning and not a lot of sleep.

Google says 26 hours non-stop with no traffic so I have given myself 36 hours as I will need to stop for fuel around every 160-170 miles. Even if the weather is bad and I get held up I WILL COMPLETE IT and post updates here (or Ange will) with my time, start and end mileage and fuel receipt start and end to verify locations.

I will be riding my BMW GS1200 to John O’Groats on Tuesday 27th December, leaving there in the early hours of Wednesday 28th December, heading for Lowestoft, then down to St David’s and finally ending at Land's End. A little over 1400 miles not including the run up and then back home from Land's End.

The charities I am fundraising for are as follows and I hope you can spare some change to help:

'Andy's Man Club' are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. We want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. #ITSOKAYTOTALK - https://andysmanclub.co.uk

'Mind' - We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding. We won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect - https://www.mind.org.uk

'PAPYRUS' Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

Suicide is the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. We believe that suicide is preventable - https://www.papyrus-uk.org

Thank you for your support x

In loving memory of Navin Wilde (pictured above)