In September 2017 last year, a friend, Jonny, took his life through issues with mental health.

I met Jonny through the university football team 20+ years ago. He was ever present in my time at university, the club captain who loved his football, loved a drink and loved the banter. Jonny was a larger than life character whoc always filled up the room when you were around. He was pivotal in keeping the football reunions going for these 20 years, which makes it all the more difficult to understand the reasons behind why he took his own life. I have been touched several times over the past years by the effects of mental health and Jonny's is another which highlights the struggles that many people face behind closed doors.

On 4 to 6 May, to raise funds for Mind, I will join a group of Jonny's friends who are cycling from Jonny's home town of Warrington to Newcastle-upon-Tyne where we spent our time at university.

Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem and hundreds of thousands of people are still struggling. This ride is to raise funds and awareness for the charity. No-one should have to face a mental health problem alone and the charity is there to listen, give support and advice for those that need it. With your help, hopefully, a donation can help someone in need and maybe stop the suffering that families like Jonny's have had to deal with, by persuading people like Jonny that tomorrow can always be a better day.

I anyone reading this is struggling in this way. Open up a door, open up a discussion, there IS someone there to listen.

All donations are extremely welcome. No matter how small. Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.