The subject of Mental Health has never been more prominent yet there is still stigma attached to its discussion. There are still stories of rugby players taking their own lives. I will be taking on this challenge in support of rugby-based Mental Health charities.

The Great Rugger Run will be a 500 mile run in 5 weeks, from rugby club to rugby club across the south of England this summer. Find out more, join in and follow progress on the website - http://thegreatruggerrun.org/

I felt inspired to do something memorable and meaningful and this challenge combines my love of running and travel to give something back to rugby, the game that has given so much to me.

I will support four incredible charities/CIC's and they will share all raised funds equally (please read on to see the value of your donation).

blOKes - https://www.blokes.life/

LooseHeadz - https://looseheadz.co.uk/

Brave Mind - https://www.bravemind.co.uk/

Give A Ruck - https://www.givearuck.com/

What your donation can achieve:

blOKes:

£20 - Maintenance and development of blOKes forum

£100 - Creation and distribution of bespoke posters, beer mats and mental health resources to clubs, schools, colleges and universities around the UK

£500 - Contribution towards facilitating a men's mental health event, including hosting ambassadors, providing talks and signposting sessions, creation and distribution of mental health resources, and providing opportunities for individuals at partner clubs and organisations to complete a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course.

LooseHeadz:

Every donation to the LooseHeadz Foundation funds the placement of a mental health lead (a 'LooseHead') across the UK. With your support and backing, the team at LooseHeadz are able to promote good mental fitness to all of their partner clubs. This includes; talking sessions, online wellbeing check-ins, mental health training, signposting content, social rugby sessions, and much more.

Brave Mind:

£20 – Helps fund Brave Mind Team members visit rugby clubs & schools/colleges/universities to provide resource for educational talks on mental health.

£100 – Funds 1x mental health session within a school/college/university focusing on key individual topic areas such as dealing with stress, communication & performing under pressure.

£500 – Funds 3 x Brave Mind Champions to be trained as Mental Health First Aiders. Providing key rugby club representatives, the tools on how to identify, understand and help a player or club member who may be experiencing a mental health issue. Teaching the Brave Mind Champions on how to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and even potentially stop a crisis from happening. Recognising warning signs of mental ill-health and developing the skills and confidence to approach and support while keeping themselves safe.

Give A Ruck:

£20 helps us to appoint a club ambassador at their rugby club. Volunteers themselves, our club ambassadors are the heart of the #GiveARuck squad as they help create the link between Give A Ruck and their teams, help to start important conversations and organise additional fundraising on our behalf.

£100 will help us to deliver the #GiveARuck Pledge workshop to develop and recognise the commitment to positive cultures around mental wellbeing in community rugby clubs and encourage the development of club mental health policies.

£500 will pay for the training of two Mental Health First Aiders. It is our mission to ensure that there is a mental health first aider at every community rugby club across the country. Mental Health First Aid is a training course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. Mental health is just as important as physical health. We wouldn't ignore a head injury.