My story started with an unbelievable act of violence against me. I found myself stood outside looking down at what used to be my thumb. A delivery driver had just bitten off the end off and was trying to jump on their moped to run away.

This started the painful process of trying to heal physically through a complicated procedure to remove part of my big toe and attach it to recreate my thumb.

The real work was in my head though. The mental strain I went through, the loss, the despair and then the subsequent recovery has been incredibly tough. My three pillars of recovery have become exercise, talking therapy and of course my little girl.

I am taking on this challenge to ride the length of the country for a number of reasons. To raise awareness of the importance of talking and exercise to improve mental health. To raise awareness of the terrible things that can happen when delivery companies are not held to high enough standards when it comes to who contracts for them.

I am also raising funds to support the amazing work that Sport in Mind do to help those who need it most. Not everyone knows the power of sport. I was lucky, through my youth I played many sports and my time in professional rugby as a young man instilled a belief and passion in me to be able to take part in sports and physical activity. I knew I had to embed it into my recovery.

For those who don't realise the power of movement and those who haven't had that experience Sport in Mind create safe, supportive environments for anyone and everyone suffering with their mental health to come along and have a go. To be part of something with other people going through similar challenges.