Run for 1 million. 76 marathons, in 76 cities, in 76 days, but why? Simply, to save lives.

As someone who has been affected by mental illness over the years, I empathize immensely with each and every person that has faced such an objection in their life. Luckily, I've been blessed that when I hit the lowest points in my life, I have had access to a support network and a therapist to enable me to come through the other side. Sadly, this is not a reality for everyone and for me, that is not ok. It is simply unimaginable to have to face mental health problems alone. My goal is to raise £1,000,000 to help as many people going through these struggles as I possibly can, ensuring they get the support they crucially need from Samaritans.

Samaritans is a life saving charity who have trained specialists to answer phone calls from people in mentally vulnerable situations. Their motto is ‘If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We won't judge or tell you what to do’. It’s free to call from both landlines and mobiles, including pay-as-you-go mobiles. Just £5 = 1 life saving phone call. Raising £1,000,000 will fund 200,000 life saving phone calls. This is why Samaritans are so important. Listening, giving guidance and knowing you’re never alone.

So why 76 marathons in 76 cities? Samaritans have a base in every single city that I will be running through. Mental health can affect ANYONE, anywhere, at any time. This is why it is so important to me to run through all 4 nations. Showcasing everyone coming together, ignoring boundaries. Collectively, we really can achieve anything.

I am lucky enough to have a platform on social media and feel passionately about using it to help others. Other than being a father to my beautiful daughter, if I have any other purpose on this earth, it is to change the narrative around mental illness and show what is possible when faced with adversity. If I can make a difference, to stop someone losing a loved one, friend, colleague, then I have reached my goal.

This is set to be the most monumental challenge, both mentally and physically, I have ever set out to achieve. Let’s rewrite the narrative around mental health and together, we can save lives. Thank you.