In my 65th year I have challenged myself to visit 65 cities and document my travels on Instagram and Facebook whilst raising money . During these city visits I will try to challenge myself to do different activities or go to unusual places of interest and hope that those following my journeys will support me by raising money for my chosen charity . So I hope it will not only be a personal challenge , but also a travel blog of the places I visit

So I have 12 months to achieve my target, I will be visiting many cathedral cities in the UK , filling in my Pilgrims passport and getting stamps at every Cathedral I visit . If I am at a foreign city , I will attempt to find a church or cathedral to visit

I am not particularly religious , though brought up a Catholic , I find solace and peace in religious buildings and am fascinated by the architecture , the stained glass and the individual treasures to be found , alongside the historical significance of some of these wonderful buildings

This is a personal challenge as well because I have lived with rheumatoid arthritis all of my adult life and so have lived within the limitations of the disease and the unpleasant and life changing side affects, of the drugs given to treat the illness , which have ongoing affects as my joints deteriorate further, I am very keen to live life to the full and travel as much as I can especially after life changing serious illness last year, after complications following surgery

I volunteer regularly in sports , mostly Anti Doping , but particularly in Track Cycling, BMX , Mountain Biking and road racing , so some of the cities I may visit are because I will be volunteering at an event

Obviously my travels and volunteering are funded by me doing extra shifts as a mental health nurse or as an Event First Aider and all the money raised will go to my chosen charity

So my plans for the next year are not all finalised as this will depend on the events I am selected to volunteer in, though I plan to have lots of holiday time to relax and many weekend breaks

The charity I have chosen, aims to support and improve individuals mental health , which have been at the core of my whole career as a mental health nurse

Please follow my journey on Facebook and Instagram and I will update the Fundraising Page regularly

The charity I am raising money for is Keep Talking Services

Keep Talking Services is a telephone befriending program that aims to alleviate loneliness and improve the mental health of individuals in need. What sets us apart is our unique approach of pairing health and social care students with clients in the community. This not only provides companionship and support but also offers valuable learning opportunities for the students, enhancing their awareness and understanding of mental health.

By engaging with clients through telephone befriending, the students gain first hand experience in interacting with individuals facing mental health challenges. This exposure helps them develop their interpersonal skills, empathy, and sensitivity towards mental health issues. As they actively listen, provide emotional support, and build relationships with the clients, the students grow in confidence and become more aware of the complexities of mental health.

The students' involvement with Keep Talking Services goes beyond just providing companionship; it contributes to their professional development. They gain a deeper understanding of mental illness, the importance of social connection, and the impact of support services in promoting well-being. This experiential learning fosters a better understanding of mental health as a whole, ensuring that these future healthcare professionals have a well-rounded perspective when working with individuals with mental health conditions.

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