On Saturday July the 2nd I will set out to complete a coast to coat to coast challenge.

I intend to kayak the 162 miles across country from Liverpool To Goole.

On route I will have a rest from Kayaking at Gargrave to walk and run the Yorkshire Three Peaks before continuing to Goole.

Once at Goole I will cycle the 100 miles back to Liverpool to collect Daisy (our Campervan) in one day.

After nearly 50 years of mental health issues arising from neurodiversity traits I finally know that I do these challenges because it is who I am and what I do.

For most of my life I have tried to conform with what I believed society and other humans expected of me and this had a bad impact on my psychological health.

But, like anyone my age I was lucky as I grew up in an age with no social media, when my influences and comparisons were realistic.

Media was low definition and adverts were entertaining and trying to sell a product not a life style. 

Our children are not as lucky, they are constantly being told they are  not good looking enough, not thin enough, not rich enough they are never good.

Because they are being compared and comparing themselves not to a sector of the world but to the whole world and our children's mental and physical health is suffering.

I have seen this first hand as a parent and in my profession and you will have too.

That is why I am using this challenge to raise money for Young Minds.

Young Minds are the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.

Young Minds want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.

So please consider donating to Young Minds and help our Children tackle the mental health crisis they are facing

Liverpool To Goole Coast To Coast Canoe Trail | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)

The Yorkshire Three Peaks - Yorkshire Dales National Park : Yorkshire Dales National Park

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.