FOR many - if not most - people, either they or their family will have experienced mental health issues at some point in their lives, or will know someone who has.

Problems can include anxiety, stress, depression, psychotic disorders and other serious conditions.

Yet mental health is a subject that is still shrouded in mystery and uncertainty.

For me, RED January provides an opportunity to ease back into physical exercise to aid recovery from injury, while at the same time helping to:

1. raise awareness of the mental health problems that so many people suffer from
2. combat the stigma that continues to overshadow mental health, and 
3. support a charity whose work could apply to any one of us at any time.

One positive approach is through physical exercise - walking, running, cycling, swimming etc. Being on the move boosts your well-being, lifts the spirits and generally makes you 'feel good' (putting aside a few aches and pains!). 

My main form of activity is usually running. But as I'm unable to do that as I normally would, my goal is to Walk-Run (hopefully)-Ride for a minimum of 200 miles by January 31.

My fundraising goal is £200 - so £1 per mile.

I have not ridden a bike for several years (decades!) - so that will be a 'project' in its own right. I am dedicating this challenge to a brother I lost four years ago. A lifelong friend of mine also passed away unexpectedly just before the start of REDJanuary, and so it has become a tribute to him as well. 

As children, we would run, walk and ride everywhere, because that's just what we did. They are cherished memories, and the REDJanuary challenge is a fitting activity to honour those distant, carefree days.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. If you feel able to support Mind - and give further incentive to my 200-mile challenge - then please click the donate button!

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.