On Saturday July the 2nd I will set out to complete a coast to coast to coast challenge to raise funds for the young person's mental health charity Young Minds and Harrogate Hospital Radio.

I intend to kayak the 162 miles across country from Liverpool To Goole.

On route I will have a rest from Kayaking at Gargrave to walk and run the Yorkshire Three Peaks before continuing to Goole.

Once at Goole I will cycle the 100 miles back to Liverpool to collect Daisy (our Campervan) in one day.

After nearly 50 years of mental health issues arising from neurodiversity traits I finally know that I do these challenges because it is who I am and what I do.

For most of my life I have tried to conform with what I believed society and other humans expected of me and this had a bad impact on my psychological health.

But, like anyone my age I was lucky as I grew up in an age with no social media, when my influences and comparisons were realistic.

Media was low definition and adverts were entertaining and trying to sell a product not a life style.

Our children are not as lucky, they are constantly being told they are not good looking enough, not thin enough, not rich enough they are never good.

Because they are being compared and comparing themselves not to a sector of the world but to the whole world and our children's mental and physical health is suffering.

I have seen this first hand as a parent and in my profession and you will have too.

That is why I am using this challenge to raise money for Young Minds.

Young Minds are the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.

Young Minds want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.

So please consider donating to Young Minds and help our Children tackle the mental health crisis they are facing.

As well as Young Minds I would like to raise money for Harrogate Hospital Radio.

We all have our safe place, a place we go where we can just be us.

Five Years ago I was fortunate enough to discover Harrogate Hospital Radio.

Launched in 1977 Harrogate Hospital Radio provides entertainment to patients, staff and visitors of Harrogate District Hospital. It completely voluntary led and rely on fundraising and donations to continue providing a service to the hospital.

BUT, for me Harrogate Hospital Radio is my safe place where I can escape and be in charge and have control.

Everyone at the radio have been a great support to me through the last few years that have seen a number of challenges to my physical and mental health.

So in addition to raising funds for Young Minds please consider donating to Harrogate Hospital Radio.

PLEASE NOTE - if you are donating (thank you) and have a preference for which charity you wish to give select a a team member but check it is your chosen charity.

Liverpool To Goole Coast To Coast Canoe Trail | Canal & River Trust

Yorkshire Three Peaks