In October my very good friend Emma & I will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in honor of my dad and to raise awareness for mental health by fundraising for the Samaritans.

The idea originally came about at the beginning of 2020 when a couple of us decided we wanted a new challenge and thought Kilimanjaro would be just that. My dad, the ever adventurer, was extremely jealous and wanted to join us and tick another mountain off his list. Alas came Covid and the idea was put to the back of our minds.

Sadly, after a short struggle with his mental health, my dad took his own life in July 2021.

Latest data shows that over 700,000 people take their lives every year, that is 1 person for every 40 seconds. In the UK it's been recorded that 115 people a week take their lives and of that figure 75% are men.

Mental health touches countless lives worldwide, impacting individuals and families in profound ways. The stigma surrounding mental health often prevents people from seeking help, perpetuating a cycle of suffering. We hope to raise awareness and continue to change this.

Samaritans do so much great work in helping others in similar situations to my dad, their support is available to all 24/7 in a variety of different ways.

So what better way to raise awareness of something that is more common than we like to talk about and raise money for a fantastic charity doing something that my dad would have absolutely loved.

Whether you can provide a donation or spread awareness, you'll be supporting an initiative that promotes understanding, provide resources, and create a supportive community for those who need it most.

Thank you, Jody & Emma xx