Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In April I am setting off on a journey of almost 1500 Kilometres, 930 miles.

I plan to run (and walk a few bits) from Lands End to John O’ Groats in 30 days.

That’s an average of just over 31 miles per day.

I decided that whilst undertaking this personal challenge I would try and raise the issue of Men’s Mental Heath and to highlight the really good work being done by Andy’s Man Club throughout the country.

I am grateful for the ability to be able to run. Over the years running has helped me deal with stress and those days when things don’t always go to plan.

However for some people constant set backs in life can become overwhelming and they end up not being able to cope. For them and their families the results can be devastating.

When I was 18 my boss received a call to tell us one of our customers had died that morning. It was a total shock. Like any other day the man ate his breakfast with his family and set off to work. He walked to the railway station as normal but that day when the train arrived, he threw himself onto the tracks in front of it.

I thought about that poor man and the family he left behind many times, and the effect it must have had on the traumatised train driver.

This happened over 40 years ago but today suicide is the biggest killer of men between the ages of 20-50.That’s more than Cancer, more than Heart disease, more than Covid.  I read that EVERY TWO HOURS a man in the UK takes his own life. Think about that. Whilst you are at work today for an 8 hour shift, FOUR men will kill themselves. Wouldn’t you try to help them if you could ?

One of the organisations trying to help is Andy’s Man Club. This is a charity established to help men who are going through tough times. To try and get them to open up and discuss their issues. The club was set up in 2016 by a lady called Elaine Roberts, after her son Andrew sadly took his own life. Together with Andrew’s brother in law, Luke Ambler, they established the club to help other men and their families avoid the sad loss they had experienced. Their brilliant idea has evolved into a nationwide network of 93 clubs across the country. So I am using my running experience to raise money for this great cause. Please sponsor me.

My aim is to complete my run in April but with 930 miles to cover that  means running around 31 miles each day for 30 days to complete the run in April.

I have no doubt there will be moments when I feel like packing it in. Hopefully your support and words of encouragement will help me and together we can help Andy’s Man Club continue the great work they are doing. You can read more about the club, its history, the work it does and the network locations here: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/meet-the-team/

So please donate on this page and add some inspirational words to keep me going.

My journey starts on 1st April and whilst I am running you can track my progress each day via twitter and Garmin Connect - follow my twitter feed here: https://twitter.com/StephenFryRuns

I will also be posting daily updates of Facebook.

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.