Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Hello and thanks for your support. Throughout 2020 and 2021 I wore fancy dress costumes to work, attending hundreds of video calls in an effort to boost the mental health of my colleagues, friends and family. I wanted to reduce Zoom fatigue and show that talking about mental health doesn't have to be scary.

I know first hand how it feels to experience mental ill health; the isolation, desperation, confusion, shame and fear. I want more of us to feel more comfortable checking in on those around us.

I wanted to do something positive, helping those around me have a laugh and giving them a reason to feel hopeful (when hope was in short supply). I also wanted to raise money for 6 charities including North Herts Samaritans.

After being inspired by Joe Wicks and his 'fancy dress Friday', my one fancy dress costume turned into 100. My story was featured across the national media and JustGiving gave me the moniker; Fancy Dress Dad!

My charity donations are rapidly approaching £10,000 so I'd love your support. All donations and sharing across your networks is appreciated.

You can see my outfits on the Mental Health Fancy Dress Challenge Facebook page. Alternatively, head over to my Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram profiles.

So enjoy my costumes have a laugh at my expense, and check-in with those closest to you.

Here's a bit more about why North Herts Samaritans is such a crucial charity:

- Every seven seconds the Samaritans responds to a call for help
- There were 6,859 suicides in the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2018
- The highest suicide rate in the UK, and England, is among men aged 45-49
- Two in five men aged 20-59 don't seek support when they need to, because they prefer to solve their own problems
- And the pandemic is only exacerbating the mental health challenges faced by many, with financial worries, increased isolation and uncertainty about the future creating unsustainable levels of stress and anxiety.

Mental Health conversations don't have to be scary [#fancydress4mentalhealth]

Fancy Dress Dad ✌️

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.