Beyond is charity that offers invaluable funding and support to schools and colleges needing urgent mental health support, from counselling to art therapy to mental health first aid training.

This September I’m  joining members of their youth board  to spend 7 days hiking the tallest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, to raise funds for Beyond. 

These impassioned young people are  the heart and soul of the charity – they are the innovators,, campaigners and change-makers of the future.  It’s a privileged to join them.

My personal connection to the charity is through my friend, Jonny Benjamin MBE, who founded Beyond.  

You may already know Jonny from the Channel 4 documentary, The Stranger On The Bridge, the title being a reference to the amazing stranger who talked Jonny down from attempting suicide from the ledge of London Bridge in 2008.

At the time, Jonny was like the many young people across the UK who experience mental health challenges with little to no support. Many people had no idea what Jonny was going through, such is the stigma attached to talking about our mental health.

Thankfully, Jonny's still with us and his mental health has since improved. Now his charity, Beyond, is doing amazing work to reduce mental health stigma, improve access to mental health services and help fund important mental health initiatives for young people. He’s a truly inspiring person and somewhat a hero of mine, as well as being a friend. 

My goal is to raise £1,500 to support Beyond, but if I can raise more I’d be absolutely delighted.

The money will help Beyond fund schools and colleges that need urgent mental health support, from counselling to art therapy to mental health first aid training.

Will you help me? 💪

To make sure I reach the summit (and return!), I’m committing to run 5km per day and quit alcohol between now the hike.

I’m not sure what’s more daunting, 270km of running, 6,000m of mountain or the thought of 6 weeks without a beer! 

I’ll be posting my training/alcohol journey on Instagram as @thatdrinkdoctor 

Your support means a lot to me, even if it’s a few quid, or the equivalent cost of buying me a pint! 

Thank you,

About Beyond

https://wearebeyond.org.uk/

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