The COVID-19 pandemic and successive lockdowns have left a mental health crisis in their wake.

Jeff Smith is working hard to address this issue through to provision of therapy and early interventions. He's an inspirational individual who was introduced to me as a speaker for a professional event that I’m running later in the year.

The former ice hockey professional founded a charity called Big Moose in Cardiff to provide mental health interventions to individuals through professonal therapy. It’s a much need addition to over stretched NHS resources.

5,224 people committed suicide in England and Wales in 2020. That number would be at least five people more if it wasn’t for the work of Big Moose.

Jeff has launched a campaign with his daughter Chloe to raise £1m in 2022 to scale the work of Big Moose nationwide.

I’ve signed up with my son Dan, our family and Wadds Inc. to raise £10,000. It’s personal. We’ve all got a story about the impact of mental health on family and friends. It’s an issue that because particularly acute during lockdown.

The outdoors, nature and exercise have always helped me with my personal mental health.

Dan and I plan to raise a significant chunk of the money by taking on the Three Peaks Challenge. We know it’s a stretch but achievable goal. Last year we walked Hadrian’s Wall from the east to the west coast of England and raised £2,500 for refugee charities.

We’re going to do a Three Peaks Challenge roadtrip climbing Ben Nevis, Snowdon, and Scafell over a week. Along the way we'll visit the corners of Scotland, Wales, and England.

We’ve taking on the challenge during the week of 8 August.

Our challenge to you is to join us on Friday or Saturday, 12 or 13 August in getting outside, completing a walk of your own, and make a donation.

Thank you.