The construction industry has a sadly poor track record when it comes to mental health.  To help turn the tide for our colleagues, at Bradfords we are partners with Mental Health UK and have pledged to raise the awareness of mental health in our sector as well as raise invaluable funds to support the great work MHUK do.

As we approach Mental Health Awareness week, I and the rest of the Bradfords team are attempting to cover a whopping 10,000 miles by foot, bicycle, and any other form of human powered exercise and in the process raise £10,000.  The challenge was set by two South-West based colleagues, Dean and Sam who both told of their personal connection with mental health challenges and we've answered their call to arms to support them all the way to the finish line on the last day of Mental Health Awareness Week on 16 May 2021.

Dean and Sam have pledged 400 miles each, and my aim is to match that.  With a busy work schedule and two small boys who demand time too, this is going to be tougher than I first thought.  I can do the miles, but it's going to mean early starts (even earlier than the boys get up!) and a total resistance to fair-weather exercise excuses.  There's no such thing as the wrong clothes right?  

The theme for MHAW 2021 is Nature. The health benefits of the great outdoors are well known, and this year MHAW is all about reconnecting with nature.  The challenge was developed with this in mind: I and my colleagues will be taking ourselves to places that matter to us: whether there's a story, a personal connection or simply that the energy, light, sound or views are inspirational and a tonic.  Whilst I'm not going to do (much) of my miles in the Westcountry, I promise to keep you up to date with where I've been and why.  I hope that you enjoy the clips!

So - please do support this challenge for this very worthy cause.  I set off on my road bike for the first ride on April 16th - it'll also be the first ride of the year so I'm hoping also not to painful! - and intend to push through the final 400th mile on or before 16th May.  Every pound counts (as will every mile!).