Saddle Up for Mental Health Awareness!

Hello everyone! I’m Mark, and I’m gearing up to join 49 other riders on an exciting challenge: the ‘Castle to Castle’ charity bike ride - a 200 mile cycle from Caernarfon Castle to Cardiff Castle through the beautiful (and mountainous..!) Welsh countryside. We have each pledged to raise £1000. But this isn’t just any ride—it’s a mission to raise awareness and support for mental health through the power of pedalling!

Why am I doing this?

Mental health matters. It’s a topic that touches all of us, directly or indirectly. We’ve all faced moments when life’s hills seemed steeper than any mountain pass, and the winds of anxiety or depression threatened to blow us off course. But here’s the thing: we’re not alone. Together, we can pedal toward better understanding, compassion, and change.

That’s why I’ve joined the fantastic YouTube creators Craig and Aimee from “Kinging it” to embark on this epic journey. We’re not just conquering miles; we’re conquering stigma. By each raising £1000 for the incredible charity bigmoose, we’re supporting initiatives that promote mental health awareness, education, and outreach. bigmoose believes that no one should suffer in silence, and neither should their loved ones.

What’s the plan?

As I pedal my lungs out, I’ll also be recording a podcast, 'Blood, tears and a bigmoose'. In each episode, I’ll share the highs and lows of our adventure—from the picturesque castles we cycle past to the numb bum I'll no doubt suffer from. But more importantly, I’ll be talking to people who’ve faced their own mental health challenges. Their stories will inspire, educate, and remind us that vulnerability is strength. I'll also let you know how the training goes (I do follow a very unique strategy.. more a case of how 'not' to do it..!) Come have a listen and subscribe to the podcast at at https://blood-tears-and-a-bigmoose.transistor.fm/

How can you help?

I invite you to join our cause! Whether you’re a fellow cyclist, a mental health advocate, or simply someone who cares, your support matters. Every pound donated brings us closer to our goal. Let’s create ripples of change together.

Remember, it’s not just about the pedals and the numb bum—it’s about the conversations we spark, the lives we touch, and the hope we share. So let’s work toward a brighter, more compassionate world - and thank you for being part of this journey!

And now a word from our charity...

"... We are bigmoose. we are a mental health charity providing therapy and early intervention to people who are struggling with their mental health.

we have grown from a small facebook page of our friends and family to a community of thousands of people all over the world. together we have achieved some amazing things, most recently completing project 1 million, raising 1 million pounds in 486 days! over 11,000 people donated and have helped us to save and change lives.

we are hearing on a daily basis how much our therapy is helping to change lives. the number of referrals we are receiving is increasing every day.

but there is more work to be done.

we have a big dream to make a difference in the world. we are on a mission to raise 15 million pounds for mental health, this is going to be a mammoth task, and we are going to need all the help we can get, but our passion to change lives is what drives us, and makes us believe we can do this...."